By Nathan Brinkman

For the Austin Daily Herald

Matias Parada has been around the Austin soccer program for the past few years and he is now finally showcasing his talent on the field as a Packer.

Parada has played in Austin during the past several summers but had spent his time during the academic year in Arizona playing for Catalina Foothills high school. Parada says he feels like he is in a very different place with the Packers as compared to where he was last season.

“It’s a lot different from where I played in the past. We’re yelling chants at the beginning, we are all getting pumped up together,” Parada said. “This team is like a brotherhood. And we have that student section that’s insane. I have never played in front of a crowd like that.”

This season is Parada’s first as a part of the Austin Packer varsity soccer team and he has had a big impact early in the season for the Packers. Using his great passing and dribbling skills, Parada has been a pleasant surprise.

Parada has been playing in the midfield alongside team captain Sean Baker so far this season and scored two goals in the Packer’s season opener against Fairmont.

“He(Parada) is a very good player, him and I fit into the midfield and we really click. He can definitely help  our team,” said Baker.

Having two excellent center midfielders on the field at once has enabled the Packers to control games both offensively and defensively helping them start their season 2-0.