Anthony Patti continues an upward trajectory in his professional career.
In the 2023-2024 off-season, Anthony Patti became the first announced player to make the move from NISA to USL League One after signing with Lexington SC. The 21-year-old defender has been on this path since leaving Lake Dallas High School as its all time leading goal scorer in 2020.
After high school, he started his journey at Mercer University in Georgia, before transferring to the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley for the 2022 season. After making 11 appearances and scoring two goals for the Vaqueros, Patti decided to turn pro.
His journey took him to Albion San Diego of NISA. When the club reached out to him, he was drawn to San Diego by the dedication of the coaching staff and the vibrant energy of the city.
“I knew I’d have a strong team and solid support behind me,” he says of the decision to sign his first professional contract with ASD.
He quickly won a starting role, making his professional debut in the US Open Cup against USL Championship side San Diego Loyal. He would go on to start 23 of 24 regular season matches, only missing one due to yellow card accumulation. ASD made the playoffs, and defeated Maryland Bobcats FC in the opening round before falling to eventual runners up Michigan Stars FC in the semi-final.
He attributes his success at ASD to “everyone” at the club, from a tight-knit group of players to the coaches, trainers and his agent in helping him along the path to becoming a professional.
But Patti’s success in NISA led to attention from other teams, as well as media outlets. Protagonist Soccer listed Patti as a potential transfer prospect to USL League One as a depth signing, and he had the attention of several USL League One sides with defensive needs.
Lexington, however, drew him in with a positive first impression, in which club representatives shared its vision for the 2024 season and beyond. Patti says it “ignited in me an eagerness to contribute to the project they’re building.”
He’s also looking forward to the fan support and community in Lexington, saying it was “added motivation” to sign there. Lexington will have a brand new stadium later in the 2024 season, adding to the excitement.
In joining Lexington as a defender, Patti will join the returning Erick Ceja-Gonzalez and Kaelon Fox, former NCFC right-back Christian Lue Young, and USL Championship veterans Ebenezer Ackon and Modesto Méndez.
In a press release, Lexington Coach Darren Powell indicated Patti might fit into the Lexington system “as left center back in a Back 3, or left back in Back 4.”
With the off-season departure of 2023’s primary left back Terique Mohammed, the opportunity may be presented to Patti right away.
Patti says he is looking for continuous challenges, something that will be available while surrounded by the increased level of professional talent in USL League One.
One thing Patti might not find in Lexington? The pursuit of his favorite past time, surfing. But the professional sport journey doesn’t always end up by the beach. Sometimes a great opportunity is in Kentucky.
Lexington will see its first regular season action at home against Northern Colorado on March 9.