Written by David Adams
Miguel Pajaro is inevitable.
He leads AV ALTA FC in minutes played. He leads the team in passes. He leads the team in clearances. If ALTA are building up to a goal, or clamping down on opponents’ efforts, chances are he’s right in the middle of it.
But his journey to this point has been anything but inevitable.
Miguel grew up in Cartagena, Colombia, a city of around a million people. His family lived in a neighborhood known as La Maria. In Miguel’s words, it is a neighborhood full of dreams but full of distractions too. Pitfalls and perils for those unsure of where they are going or what they are chasing.
Miguel has been chasing soccer. He first began playing the beautiful game at 8 years old. Even at that age, his passion and leadership shone through. So did his love of the defensive side of the game. Sergio Ramos was his soccer idol – and if you watch Pajaro play, you’ll see it. Solid, aggressive, always giving his all.
At 14 years old, he left home in order to pursue his dream. He joined Alianza Sport Academy in his hometown of Cartagena, the first step in his career. Over the next few years, he moved to different academies and clubs, progressing all the while. Miguel signed his first professional contract at 18. The pandemic hit about a year later, another obstacle to overcome for a young man trying to establish his professional career.
But none of it was easy or comfortable. Ask Miguel about these years in his life and he’ll mention enduring hunger. Sleeping on the floor. The cockroaches and mice who would join him there.
But step by step, he rose the ranks in Colombia. In January 2020, he joined Real Cartagena, playing in the second tier of Colombian football. In February 2024, he moved within the league to Tigres FC, who had finished the 2023 season in a slump and were looking to turn around their fortunes. With Pajaro in their backline, Tigres jumped from 24 points in 2023 to 45 points in 2024. His performances started creating new opportunities for him – and for the very first time, opportunities outside of his native Colombia.
On January 8, 2025, AV Alta announced the signing of Miguel Pajaro as part of their inaugural squad. The seventh player announced by the club, he was an early target for Alta to get in the door. He was also the first player announced who had never played at the USL level before. While the front office built the early foundation of the roster on veterans with California ties – proven players like Miguel Ibarra, Jimmie Villalobos, and Luca Mastrantonio – Pajaro brought a different résumé. And in light of his skill, leadership, and drive, it is a résumé that has only kept growing in 2025.
Miguel Pajaro has captained AV Alta almost every game this season. He wore the armband in the opening loss at South Georgia, in the soft launch home opener against Ventura County, and in the raucous sellout home opener against Westchester. An ironman presence in the backline, he’s one of only 3 Alta players not to have been subbed off in USL1 play this season.
Talk to him about the Antelope Valley community, and it’s clear that it already means a lot to him after just 7 months. Asked about his motivation, he responded, “When I see the entire Lancaster community supporting us, it’s important to me that they are happy when they come to the stadium.”
AV ALTA FC have been full of happy moments this season. A sellout crowd, a midfield bomb, a second-half hat-trick, a 10-game unbeaten streak. But one of the single greatest moments of happiness this season came when Miguel Pajaro, rocking a swim cap after an earlier collision, stepped to the penalty spot against Orange County in the US Open Cup.
Penalty shootout. Game on the line. A USL Championship opponent, who typically play a league up from AV Alta. Pregame geography quizzes. Tied after 90 minutes. Tied after 120 minutes. An MLS opponent waiting in the next round. Denzil Smith coming off the bench to save a kick. OCSC floating another one high. One kick to advance. Fans on tiptoes behind the goal. One deep breath. The run up. Keeper diving to the left. Penalty rocketing to the right. Game over. Mayhem. Jogging towards the fans, arms open wide, surrounded by teammates. A grin a mile wide.
Surely this has to be your favorite moment from the season so far, Miguel?
Actually, no.
“My favorite moment is now. I always live in the present. I think we have built a good team with incredibly talented players, and we work hard to be champions.”
The past was implausible. The kid who left home, then left his country, to chase his dream.
The present is impressive. The Captain. First name on the team sheet.
The path is incomplete. How high can AV Alta climb? What doors might that open for Miguel Pajaro’s career?
Who knows? But spend enough time around him, and the impossible starts to seem inevitable.
