Carlos Betancourt looks forward to debut with Seattle Stars FC

SEATTLE, WA— If the Evergreen Premier League is looking for a player to be “the face” of the competition as it launches in May of 2014, that face might just be found on the roster of Seattle Stars FC. Midfielder / Forward Carlos Betancourt has just the kind of soccer story that makes a league like the EPLWA such an important addition to the Washington scene. In terms of public relations, it doesn’t hurt that Betancourt also looks good in front of the camera, playing soccer or otherwise.

Some soccer careers start fast, and it was that way for Carlos Betancourt. The Mariner High School (Everett, WA) alum was already playing up with the adults by age 14 in the Liga Hispana. When high school was finished Carlos ended up trying to make a professional career in Mexico. Now’s he back in Seattle and the attacker, now in his late 20’s, is collecting championship medals with the All Nations Cup Mexico team and Seattle Stars FC.

“I grew up playing soccer in the north end,” Carlos tells goalWA.net. “At a very young age coaches around the area were knocking on my door to get me to play for clubs such as the Cascade Avalanche, Mukilteo FC and FC Alliance.”

“My freshmen year in high school I was scouted by an individual who played professionally in a club called Tecos/UAG in Guadalajara, Mexico. He offered me an opportunity for a tryout. All throughout my high school career he had his eyes on me, he was like a mentor. He coached the team I played for in the adult Liga Hispana league when I was just 14. Senior year I heard from various colleges, all whom I turned down, since my intentions were to attend college at the UAG Club Universitario in Mexico. In May of 2004 I flew out of Seattle for my tryout with Tecos. I successfully made the second division team I was signed for.”

Betancourt made a fast impression at Tecos. “I quickly was bumped up to the “A” team, a club whose debut in that league was summer of 2004. We had the opportunity to have a pre-season with the first team and as well I guest played in many pre-season matches prior to ours. I ended up finishing my season and did not come up with an agreement to re-sign, so I flew home.”

Carlos was at Tecos the same time as former Seattle Sounders FC striker Sammy Ochoa. “My career has been up and down,” he says, “and I have yet to get a fair chance at the Seattle Sounders, whom overlooked my ability and talent.”

Betancourt is a possession-style attacker. “I am utilized as an offensive player,” he says, “with quick attacks and the ability to see the field in order to distribute the ball from midfield. From the left side I have the ability to accurately take shots on goal or make the split-decision to place the ball back into play that best helps my team…my style of play is quick distribution or controlled footwork to continually move the ball to open spaces. When challenged by an opposing player, I do my best to anticipate their defensive strategy and counteract appropriately by placing well-timed through-balls or out-playing the opponent.”

Local soccer followers know about the All Nations Cup and the successes of the team that plays under the “Mexico” banner. Betancourt has excelled in the tournament after getting another chance locally. “Juan Sandoval gave me an opportunity with a club he used to run in a local league, a few months after returning from Mexico. He has been an amazing coach and I have become a player he can depend on, someone he knows can get the job done. I didn’t make my appearance with him at the All Nations tournament until the summer of 2008. Due to my year of professional soccer I was ineligible to play. But since I’ve joined Mexico ANC I hold four titles, more than any player that has been a part of Team Mexico. I have been consistent. (Mexico wins 2013 ANC-video.)”

After one more trip to Mexico, this time to try to sign with Atlas, Carlos ended up back in Seattle and playing for Seattle Stars FC. The team won the Washington Conference of the American National Soccer League in 2011. “The Stars were a team I was very happy to join,” he says. (Stars win 2011 ANSL-Washington, video.)

The championships haven’t stopped for Bettancourt, or the Stars. Most-recently the club won the Starfire Premier Soccer League Fall 2013 title. “For the Seattle Stars to win the SPSL…it’s something we took very seriously, we had previously lost in the final last season to Rairdon. We set our eyes on winning the tournament, from the first team to the academy team we worked very hard for this title. This tournament helped the team seek out the flaws and pinpoint what areas needed work. The team is forming strong and we are now more organized.” (Stars win Fall 2014 SPSL title, coverage.)

Betancourt feels like he has gone undiscovered by the regular adult soccer “scouting system” in Washington. Now he will have the opportunity to play before fans, coaches, players and a larger soccer world throughout the state of Washington when his Stars kick off in the Evergreen Premier League. He’s ready.

“As a competitive player I am looking forward to a new challenge in the EPLWA. Newly-forming teams makes it more exciting and something to look forward to.”

“I believe in my high competitive ability…I think I will fit in just fine with the level of competition the EPLWA will offer each and every team . I think the Seattle Stars FC have been working hard in each tournament to be where we are now. We are lucky to have been given an opportunity in the new league. We will not disappoint our community or our coaching staff. We will keep working hard. We are exited and looking forward to doing well in the upcoming season.”

www.SeattleStarsFC.com / www.EPLWA.com