As a part of our latest series, we get know some of the newest members of the Orange County SC squad. In our second installment, we catchup with Midfielder Kevin Partida.
Orange County SC (OCSC): Kevin, welcome to Orange County! We’re excited to have you here, can you tell us what brought you to the County?
Kevin Partida (KP): I am a couple of years into my career now and I have always looked to be in the most competitive environment I can be in to push myself and still get better. That really was what drew me, besides having conversations with some of the guys that I was familiar with and all the great things they spoke about the team culture along with a great group of guys that they had.
OCSC: Speaking of familiar guys, how does it feel to reunite with former Reno teammate Brent Richards as you get ready for the season?
KP: I played a couple years with Brent and I know he's a really, really good guy and a good teammate. Just to know that he's had some success here, I can only imagine how great teammates everybody else is. And, obviously having a familiar face around, I feel like it'll be an easier transition.
OCSC: Let’s talk about the fans, who will be behind the team every game in this title defense at Championship Soccer Stadium and even on the road. But when you finally step onto the pitch, what should fans expect to see from you?
KP: Definitely a lot of energy. I'm a guy that always puts the team first. I think that's sort of my reputation now at this point. I'm a big engine in the midfield you know and am really trying to do whatever it takes to win. So that’s led me to do the work that people maybe sometimes call ‘doing the dirty work’ on the defensive side of the ball. I really try to try to be a possession based player and not lose the ball and really try to lead by example, more than anything.
OCSC: Which players have you looked up to in your soccer career? In your own words, how would you describe yourself as a player?
KP: Actually, I think more as an attacking player and growing up I looked up to Ronaldihnos and those guys. I grew up liking [Lionel] Messi and his legacy. Nowadays, I do look at more guys in my position. So N’Golo Kante is a big one that I try to watch as much as possible and then guys like Thiago and Toni Kroos, those guys all up the top as holding midfielders really. As far as describing myself as a player, I would say a guy that really has a high work rate, covers a lot of ground and tries to recover possession as much as possible for our team. And, really I start to focus on keeping that possession once it's won and turning the ball over to our attacking guys to do their thing.
OCSC: You’re from Nevada–Sparks to be exact–which is near Reno and Lake Tahoe. And June 1 was proclaimed Kevin Partida Day in your hometown. Did you ever think you’d have a day named after you and how does it make you feel?
KP: Yeah, I mean, I didn't even know that something like that could happen so it’s definitely interesting. I'm kind of a shy guy so it was a little bit weird to have all that attention that weekend. But, more than anything, I'm very, very proud of where I come from. As far as where I grew up in Reno, it's really not a huge city and not known in the soccer world. It is small in general. I'm really proud when people know that I'm from Reno. I get to represent a small city like that and get to showcase that there's talent.
OCSC: Coming from a place like Sparks near the mountains and Lake Tahoe, on an off-day, would you rather go on a hike or go to the beach?
KP: That's a tough one. I mean, down here in Orange County, I would probably stick to the beach. When I was in Reno, we had Lake Tahoe, which is really really nice. I would also probably rather hit the water, than go on a hike.
OCSC: Now, let’s talk about Orange County. What do you already know about this place and is there anything that you look forward to doing when you're not on the field?
KP: Actually, my girlfriend lives here in Santa Ana, so I've been here. I got here early in the offseason and I've been kind of hanging out. I actually have not explored but I've driven all over Orange County and in Southern California in the last couple of months. So really, really more than anything I want to get focused on getting the season going and then I'm sure I'll get suggestions from the guys and fans about good places to hang out on on an off day.
OCSC: Tell us a bit more about what type of music you listen to on a daily basis and is it different from the type of music you listen to on game days?
KP: I just try to not get bored with the same music so I really like to explore all genres not just in music, but just in all kinds of content. I'll listen to reggaeton for a good bit, also Mexican music. And whenever I'm training or getting ready for the game, it'll more than likely be some kind of rap or hip hop.
OCSC: Any favorites?
KP: J. Cole has been my favorite for a good number of years now, obviously Drake's big. Myke Towers on the reggaeton side. For Mexican music, there's a couple big bands that have been doing it for so long, but I don’t have a big favorite on that end.
OCSC: As we get closer to finally starting, is there anything else you would like to say to the fans?
KP: I've really been looking forward to starting for a good number of weeks. Now that we're in the last week before starting our preseason, I'm just getting more and more anxious to get started. And, you know, I hope the fans are as excited as we are because I really feel like everybody understands that we're going to have a target on our back. I think more than anything that's a fun thing, because then you really have to show up every game. I hope they're excited to see us compete again.
OCSC: Kevin, thank you and we look forward to seeing you defend the County and the title!
As a part of our latest series, we get know some of the newest members of the Orange County SC squad. In our second installment, we catchup with Midfielder Kevin Partida.
Orange County SC (OCSC): Kevin, welcome to Orange County! We’re excited to have you here, can you tell us what brought you to the County?
Kevin Partida (KP): I am a couple of years into my career now and I have always looked to be in the most competitive environment I can be in to push myself and still get better. That really was what drew me, besides having conversations with some of the guys that I was familiar with and all the great things they spoke about the team culture along with a great group of guys that they had.
OCSC: Speaking of familiar guys, how does it feel to reunite with former Reno teammate Brent Richards as you get ready for the season?
KP: I played a couple years with Brent and I know he’s a really, really good guy and a good teammate. Just to know that he’s had some success here, I can only imagine how great teammates everybody else is. And, obviously having a familiar face around, I feel like it’ll be an easier transition.
OCSC: Let’s talk about the fans, who will be behind the team every game in this title defense at Championship Soccer Stadium and even on the road. But when you finally step onto the pitch, what should fans expect to see from you?
KP: Definitely a lot of energy. I’m a guy that always puts the team first. I think that’s sort of my reputation now at this point. I’m a big engine in the midfield you know and am really trying to do whatever it takes to win. So that’s led me to do the work that people maybe sometimes call ‘doing the dirty work’ on the defensive side of the ball. I really try to try to be a possession based player and not lose the ball and really try to lead by example, more than anything.
OCSC: Which players have you looked up to in your soccer career? In your own words, how would you describe yourself as a player?
KP: Actually, I think more as an attacking player and growing up I looked up to Ronaldihnos and those guys. I grew up liking [Lionel] Messi and his legacy. Nowadays, I do look at more guys in my position. So N’Golo Kante is a big one that I try to watch as much as possible and then guys like Thiago and Toni Kroos, those guys all up the top as holding midfielders really. As far as describing myself as a player, I would say a guy that really has a high work rate, covers a lot of ground and tries to recover possession as much as possible for our team. And, really I start to focus on keeping that possession once it’s won and turning the ball over to our attacking guys to do their thing.
OCSC: You’re from Nevada–Sparks to be exact–which is near Reno and Lake Tahoe. And June 1 was proclaimed Kevin Partida Day in your hometown. Did you ever think you’d have a day named after you and how does it make you feel?
KP: Yeah, I mean, I didn’t even know that something like that could happen so it’s definitely interesting. I’m kind of a shy guy so it was a little bit weird to have all that attention that weekend. But, more than anything, I’m very, very proud of where I come from. As far as where I grew up in Reno, it’s really not a huge city and not known in the soccer world. It is small in general. I’m really proud when people know that I’m from Reno. I get to represent a small city like that and get to showcase that there’s talent.
OCSC: Coming from a place like Sparks near the mountains and Lake Tahoe, on an off-day, would you rather go on a hike or go to the beach?
KP: That’s a tough one. I mean, down here in Orange County, I would probably stick to the beach. When I was in Reno, we had Lake Tahoe, which is really really nice. I would also probably rather hit the water, than go on a hike.
OCSC: Now, let’s talk about Orange County. What do you already know about this place and is there anything that you look forward to doing when you’re not on the field?
KP: Actually, my girlfriend lives here in Santa Ana, so I’ve been here. I got here early in the offseason and I’ve been kind of hanging out. I actually have not explored but I’ve driven all over Orange County and in Southern California in the last couple of months. So really, really more than anything I want to get focused on getting the season going and then I’m sure I’ll get suggestions from the guys and fans about good places to hang out on on an off day.
OCSC: Tell us a bit more about what type of music you listen to on a daily basis and is it different from the type of music you listen to on game days?
KP: I just try to not get bored with the same music so I really like to explore all genres not just in music, but just in all kinds of content. I’ll listen to reggaeton for a good bit, also Mexican music. And whenever I’m training or getting ready for the game, it’ll more than likely be some kind of rap or hip hop.
OCSC: Any favorites?
KP: J. Cole has been my favorite for a good number of years now, obviously Drake’s big. Myke Towers on the reggaeton side. For Mexican music, there’s a couple big bands that have been doing it for so long, but I don’t have a big favorite on that end.
OCSC: As we get closer to finally starting, is there anything else you would like to say to the fans?
KP: I’ve really been looking forward to starting for a good number of weeks. Now that we’re in the last week before starting our preseason, I’m just getting more and more anxious to get started. And, you know, I hope the fans are as excited as we are because I really feel like everybody understands that we’re going to have a target on our back. I think more than anything that’s a fun thing, because then you really have to show up every game. I hope they’re excited to see us compete again.
OCSC: Kevin, thank you and we look forward to seeing you defend the County and the title!