SACRAMENTO, California – There is perhaps no player who made more of his experience in the inaugural Scotiabank Concacaf League than Carlos Small.
The Panamanian FW scored four goals as a member of Arabe Unido, helping the club reach the 2017 SCL semifinals.
Now, almost a year later, Small finds himself in the United States playing on loan from Arabe Unido with the Houston Dynamo’s USL team, the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.
Prior to RGV FC’s match against Sacramento Republic FC last week, the ambitious 23-year-old spoke exclusively with Concacaf.com and recalled his memories of playing in last season’s SCL.
“It was a nice experience, I scored four goals in the CONCACAF League and it helped me get a wonderful opportunity to come here,” said Small.
“It was a chance to play in an important international tournament. There are clubs from everywhere watching,” added Small.
In the last two seasons with the Expreso Azul, Small tallied 12 goals in 45 games and in total netted 24 goals in 85 appearances.
However, Small feels like his best football came out in last season’s SCL.
“It’s a tournament in which you can show yourself and it has allowed me to play abroad. I’ve come here to do my best and score goals,” said Small.
While the transition to play in a foreign country can be a rocky experience for some players, Small has adapted quite nicely to life in South Texas. On the field, Small has appeared in three matches with the Toros and has scored one goal, while off the field he appears to be settling in.
“I feel very happy. I’m working hard and the welcome from teammates has been great. The climate here is similar to Panama’s, so I think I’m getting along pretty well,” concluded Small.