Mar 16, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer (14) celebrates with teammate forward Santiago Patino (29) after scoring a goal against the Montreal Impact during the second half at Orlando City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando-native and MLS rookie Santiago Patiño made his official league debut for Orlando City and notched an assist on Saturday.

The Lions fell 3-1 to the Montreal Impact, but it was Patiño’s first and only chance that set up Dom Dwyer’s only goal for Orlando.

“[Friday] I knew I was going to be in the 18 [game day roster], and I knew if I had my chance, I was going to give everything I have, and I knew doing this would help the team out,” said Patiño. “The day before, they sent the list on who’s going to be on the roster, and I was in the list.”

Patiño was born in Medellín, Colombia but moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. He attended Freedom High School in Orlando before playing collegiate soccer for the Florida International Panthers.

He was also a part of Orlando City’s Development Academy but was drafted by Orlando City as the third overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft after the league denied Orlando from signing him as a Homegrown player.

Patiño, 22, made his MLS debut, however, in the 74th minute of Saturday’s game, entering for Shane O’Neill.

“It’s good to play at home, it’s good to play at Orlando City, and every day I come to training and give my best for the team and the city,” he said.

When asked about getting selected to the gameday roster for next week’s road match against the New York Red Bulls, the forward sounded confident.

“I think when you do things well, it comes back to you,” he said. “We just have to focus on Red Bulls, have a good week in training and hopefully I’m in the 18 again.”

Here are the highlights from Saturday’s game against Montreal, including Patiño’s play that set up Dwyer’s goal.

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