It took a trip to Ecuador for NYCFC to know for sure they had a special homegrown prospect on their hands.

James Sands, just 16 years old, with not a professional minute to his name, started for NYCFC against Emelec on Feb. 8 in one of South America’s most hostile environments, the newly renovated Estadio George Capwell, in front of 40,000 screaming and jeering fans. Friendly match or not, it’s the type of atmosphere that can shake the calmest vets, but Sands didn’t look the least bit fazed.

“[That game] helped me a lot,” Sands told The Post. “I think all you can do is just learn from it, and I think it really helped me to the point where I’m at today.”

Sands’ performance – considered one of the best on the night by NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna – showed a calm and maturity not common in teenage players. It allowed Sands, a defender, to showcase his technical ability, enough to give NYCFC confidence he could play with the first team. And it became one of the reasons why, on Wednesday, Sands became the first NYCFC academy player to sign a homegrown contract with the team.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Sands, a native of Rye, NY. “Ever since I was little, just in my backyard up until today, I’ve always been hoping to start my pro career, especially to do it at a club like [NYCFC].”

Part of Sands’ growth and readiness comes from training at the United States Under-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla., where he went for the spring semester — he previously attended the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn. — to hone his game ahead of the U-17 World Cup in India this October. NYCFC knew they couldn’t risk exposing him to the scouts at the World Cup without having him signed, so the timing of Wednesday’s pact, right before summer, made sense for everyone.

“Speaking to his parents, speaking to James, we had a pretty good feeling he wanted to stay in New York,” Reyna told The Post. “He wanted to stay close to home, he wanted to be part of our club and have Patrick [Vieira] as a coach and work with our coaching staff.”

Reyna described Sands as “self-critical” and a perfectionist. That mentality partially can be attributed to his stay at the US residency program. Sands also praised NYCFC’s academy, which he joined in 2015, for getting him ready to sign an MLS deal.

The coaching in the academy emulates the philosophies and style employed by first-team head coach Patrick Vieira, and with Sands’ experience and ability, the jump into NYCFC’s starting eleven could come quick.

“He’s got a very mature head on his shoulders,” Reyna said. “He’s very, very excited. He wants to compete. He wants to play, and all of us together are going to help him and make sure he goes through this journey with us supporting him. We’re confident he’ll manage any situation and any pressure that he may get thrown at him.”

He will start training immediately with NYCFC stars such as David Villa and Maxi Moralez (he cites Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure as his favorite player). Sands, who doesn’t turn 17 until July, said he is relishing the opportunity to soak in all the knowledge he can.

“When you look at the staff, you have Patrick [Vieria], who played the position that I played at such a high level,” said Sands, referring to his defensive, holding midfield role. “I think learning from him every day will help me develop. I’m excited to see how much I can develop under him.”

Sands is expected to be away for much of the summer due to his commitment to the United States U-17 team, but Reyna didn’t rule out the possibility of Sands making his NYCFC debut this summer.

“You know, ever since I started with the club, I think my ultimate goal has been to play with the first team,” Sands said. “I think I’m ready to do that now.”