At the age of nine, youngster Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart embarked on the journey to pursue a career in professional soccer. Part of the reason was to chase the dream that so many Brazilian kids like himself sought to make a reality, but he also carried a huge weight on his shoulders.
Soccer offered Pecka an opportunity to help his mother financially. He was just a kid at the time, but his talent with the ball earned him a spot within the youth ranks of Flamengo, one of Brazil’s most successful and historic clubs.
“When I was just a boy I left home to live at the Flamengo facilities,” Pecka said. “I had to become a man very quickly because I felt the responsibility of supporting my mom now that she was alone. But I enjoyed my eleven years with the club.”
In 2009, Pecka joined Flamengo’s first team, and after a playing one season with his hometown club and one on-loan, a new opportunity came knocking at the door. This time, soccer led him to the United States with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.
Leaving a club that had given so much to him for over a decade wasn’t easy, but after considering his options carefully, Pecka made his decision and looked forward to his new chapter.
“I thought about the move over and over,” Pecka said. “I spoke with my mom and she said ‘Son, if that’s what you want to do, then go and be happy.’ The first few days were difficult because I didn’t speak English or Spanish at the time, so I had a lot of adapting to do.”
Pecka was successful with Fort Lauderdale. His stint there led him to the Alamo City for the first time during the 2014 NASL championship match, where his team fell to the now-defunct San Antonio Scorpions. As fate would have it, the two goals that took down Pecka’s former team came from Rafa Castillo and Billy Forbes, two players who would later become his teammates at San Antonio FC.
“It’s interesting in retrospect,” Pecka said. “I was sad that I lost that match in 2014, but I hope destiny will make us champions with SAFC. We have a great group and a great technical staff and we have to win for San Antonio and our fans.”
Despite the club’s young age, San Antonio FC has built a strong reputation for itself. The atmosphere at Toyota Field makes a lasting impression on those who visit, and the ownership group in Spurs Sports & Entertainment sets a winning standard known to other players and teams.
“I know SAFC well and I like the stadium very much,” Pecka said. “The club has high standards in terms of winning and that’s extremely important to me. This team is known as a winning team who have made a name for themselves, and I didn’t think twice about joining.”
Pecka previously spent time playing in the USL while he was on loan at Real Monarchs from Real Salt Lake (MLS). Now, he’s looking forward to returning to a competitive league and working with SAFC with the aspiration of winning the league championship and continuing to develop as a player.
Part of the appeal of joining SAFC was the opportunity to play in front of fans at Toyota Field. Supporters in the Alamo City have the reputation of being loyal, sticking with their team through thick and thin no matter what. For the 27-year-old midfielder, having that kind of support is crucial.
“I know fans here are incredible,” Pecka said. “That’s such an important thing for us players when we’re on the field. It feels like we have a 12th man behind us and that makes us stronger. Supporters in San Antonio do an amazing job.”
The Brazilian is excited for his new adventure with the Alamo City club, and is determined to find success with his new club in 2017.
“My goal is to become a champion with SAFC,” Pecka said. “I think good things are coming for San Antonio this year. I have a winning mentality and I don’t like losing, so when I start something new I do everything in my power to win.”
At the age of nine, youngster Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart embarked on the journey to pursue a career in professional soccer. Part of the reason was to chase the dream that so many Brazilian kids like himself sought to make a reality, but he also carried a huge weight on his shoulders.
Soccer offered Pecka an opportunity to help his mother financially. He was just a kid at the time, but his talent with the ball earned him a spot within the youth ranks of Flamengo, one of Brazil’s most successful and historic clubs.
“When I was just a boy I left home to live at the Flamengo facilities,” Pecka said. “I had to become a man very quickly because I felt the responsibility of supporting my mom now that she was alone. But I enjoyed my eleven years with the club.”
In 2009, Pecka joined Flamengo’s first team, and after a playing one season with his hometown club and one on-loan, a new opportunity came knocking at the door. This time, soccer led him to the United States with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.
Leaving a club that had given so much to him for over a decade wasn’t easy, but after considering his options carefully, Pecka made his decision and looked forward to his new chapter.
“I thought about the move over and over,” Pecka said. “I spoke with my mom and she said ‘Son, if that’s what you want to do, then go and be happy.’ The first few days were difficult because I didn’t speak English or Spanish at the time, so I had a lot of adapting to do.”
Pecka was successful with Fort Lauderdale. His stint there led him to the Alamo City for the first time during the 2014 NASL championship match, where his team fell to the now-defunct San Antonio Scorpions. As fate would have it, the two goals that took down Pecka’s former team came from Rafa Castillo and Billy Forbes, two players who would later become his teammates at San Antonio FC.
“It’s interesting in retrospect,” Pecka said. “I was sad that I lost that match in 2014, but I hope destiny will make us champions with SAFC. We have a great group and a great technical staff and we have to win for San Antonio and our fans.”
Despite the club’s young age, San Antonio FC has built a strong reputation for itself. The atmosphere at Toyota Field makes a lasting impression on those who visit, and the ownership group in Spurs Sports & Entertainment sets a winning standard known to other players and teams.
“I know SAFC well and I like the stadium very much,” Pecka said. “The club has high standards in terms of winning and that’s extremely important to me. This team is known as a winning team who have made a name for themselves, and I didn’t think twice about joining.”
Pecka previously spent time playing in the USL while he was on loan at Real Monarchs from Real Salt Lake (MLS). Now, he’s looking forward to returning to a competitive league and working with SAFC with the aspiration of winning the league championship and continuing to develop as a player.
Part of the appeal of joining SAFC was the opportunity to play in front of fans at Toyota Field. Supporters in the Alamo City have the reputation of being loyal, sticking with their team through thick and thin no matter what. For the 27-year-old midfielder, having that kind of support is crucial.
“I know fans here are incredible,” Pecka said. “That’s such an important thing for us players when we’re on the field. It feels like we have a 12th man behind us and that makes us stronger. Supporters in San Antonio do an amazing job.”
The Brazilian is excited for his new adventure with the Alamo City club, and is determined to find success with his new club in 2017.
“My goal is to become a champion with SAFC,” Pecka said. “I think good things are coming for San Antonio this year. I have a winning mentality and I don’t like losing, so when I start something new I do everything in my power to win.”
