The Kitsap Pumas signed their very own 007 this month when they added outside back Jake Bond to their roster. He is not related to James Bond — but he is just as ‘lethal’ on the field with a license to thrill.
Bond, from O’Fallon, Missouri, grew up playing competitively for one of the top development soccer academies in the nation in St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. While playing club and high school soccer for Christians Brothers College Preparatory Bond served primarily as a utility player filling in at winger, forward and midfielder.
Bond’s exemplary playing and athletic ability prompted him to be scouted by Quincy University in Illinois, one of the top Division II program’s in the nation. While at Quincy, Bond found his niche at outside back playing for a program that suited his game.
“I loved my college soccer career,” Bond said. “I think that the way coach recruited players suited my personality and style of play and it showed in us consistently having good years. During my time at Quincy I really developed as a player in a position I never really played until college and that experience definitely gave me the tools I needed to be the player I am now.”
His outstanding play earned him both a Great Lakes Valley Conference All-Conference Second Team selection and a GLVC All-Conference Third Team selection over his four seasons at Quincy.
However, after his collegiate career came to an end Bond found himself searching for a new opportunity to continue pursuing his childhood passion.
“I started playing soccer when I was about four or five,” Bond said. “I have loved the game my entire life but I never really thought of it as a career option until about my freshman year of college. To this day I still have the same passion for the game I did as a kid and I just really wanted to keep playing.”
After talking with his college coach and reaching out to a few old college teammates Bond decided to pursue a spot on the Kitsap Pumas roster. After showing well at the invitational tryouts on recommendation from his ex-college teammate at Quincy and current Kitsap player Justin Ortinau, Bond was signed to the team.
“I found out about the Pumas through Justin, and because of the way he built it up I decided I should come out to the invite tryouts,” Bond said. “The tryouts were first class, all the guys were great and the coaches were every bit as smart and down to earth as Justin had said. The whole experience just made me excited to come up here and play.”
Bond, who has already competed in the Premier Development League with Midwest powerhouse St. Louis Lions believes he will be a valuable addition to the team both on and off the field.
“On the field I believe my strengths lie in my speed, my anticipation and my vision,” Bond said. “However, off the field I am a very personable guy and I pride myself in always being there for my teammates.”
When asked about what Bond will add to the Pumas roster this season, Head Coach Cameron MacDonald said “Jake is a tenacious defender and I’m sure he will be solid for us on the right side of the field. He’s a very talented soccer player and is a good athlete which is always a nice combination to have”.
Bond, who has become accustomed to success at both the collegiate and PDL levels, plans to take that very same winning mentality to Kitsap this next season.
“I really hope to win it all this year,” Bond said. “We have a lot of exciting games coming up and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. Not everyone gets a chance like this and I just want to thank the coaches and the rest of the Puma staff for giving me this opportunity.”
