A Brother’s Nudge: How Carlos Hernandez Found His Way to ECNL

At Eastside FC, progress isn’t always linear—but it’s always earned. For Carlos Hernandez, the journey from the lower divisions to ECNL wasn’t about shortcuts. It was about belief, work, and the willingness to step outside his comfort zone.

Carlos, 13, now anchors the midfield as a defensive midfielder for the B12 ECNL team under Coach Tariq Walcott. He plays the six—a position built on discipline, awareness, and grit. It’s a role that doesn’t always make headlines, but it wins games. And for Carlos, that’s part of the appeal.

“I love meeting new teammates, traveling with the team, and winning,” he says. Simple. Honest. Competitive.

His path through the club tells a bigger story.

Carlos started at Eastside Bellevue in RCL 4. No guarantees. No fast track. Just a starting point. From there, he worked his way up—eventually making the jump straight from Bellevue to ECNL. That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident.

My time with Carlito was nothing but amazing," said Coach Alieu Kamara. "We won almost everything together, including a State Cup. Back then, he was ahead of almost every kid in his understanding of the game. He comes from a real footballing family—proper football roots. I love that kid, and his humility is everything,"

“It felt great,” Carlos says about earning his promotion. “I put a lot of effort and hard work into getting to a better team.”

But like many players making that jump, the challenge wasn’t just physical—it was mental.

“The hardest part was having negative thoughts about not being able to compete,” he admits. “I felt like I wasn’t better than other players because I was coming from a lower division.”

That doubt is real. And it’s common. What separates players is how they respond to it.

For Carlos, the turning point came before ECNL—during his time with the EPD program. After making the team and earning a spot on the travel squad, he helped his group win the Far West Regional Championship in Arizona.

“When we won, I realized I could make the jump to the next level.”

That moment didn’t just validate his ability—it changed his mindset.

Behind the scenes, the work never stopped. Extra sessions. Training with his brother. Reps beyond team practices. And most importantly, someone pushing him to take risks.

“My brother motivated me and encouraged me to leave my comfort zone,” Carlos says. “He pushed me to try out for EPD and ECNL when I didn’t really want to because I was nervous.”

That nudge made all the difference.

Now in a high-level ECNL environment, Carlos has embraced a new standard—one built on daily improvement.

“I try to get 1% better every day.”

It’s a mindset that fits perfectly with the demands of his position and the expectations of his team—and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Carlos is a great kid—I’ve really enjoyed the past two seasons working with him on the pitch and getting to know him off of it,” says Coach Tariq Walcott. “He is a humble kid who focuses on his game and works as hard as he can for the team. I always see a smile on Carlos’ face when he’s at the pitch, and when he plays the game, that same passion for it shines through.

He has a bright future ahead.”

His proudest moment so far? Winning the Rainier Challenge in 2024—and scoring in the final. A fitting milestone for a player who has worked his way into bigger moments.

Off the field, Carlos keeps things grounded. Time with family. Traveling. Enjoying the game for what it is.

And one detail he’s quick to share: his full last name is Hernandez-Hernandez. No, his parents aren’t related.

For players currently in third or fourth teams, wondering if the climb is possible, Carlos keeps his advice simple:

“Believe in yourself, work hard, be disciplined—but most importantly, have fun and be humble.”

His story is a reminder of what Eastside FC is all about.

Not just where you start—but how far you’re willing to go.