Nick DeLeon

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Nick DeLeon
Personal information
Full nameNicholas Lee DeLeon
Date of birth (1990-07-17) July 17, 1990
Place of birthPhoenix, Arizona, United States
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current clubD.C. United
Number18
Youth career
1998–2006Cisco Toros
2008–2009UNLV Rebels
2010–2011Louisville Cardinals
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2010Arizona Sahuaros2(1)
2012–D.C. United49(7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 1, 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).

Nicholas Lee DeLeon (born July 17, 1990 in Phoenix, Arizona) is an American soccer player currently playing for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He typically plays on the left wing, working towards the center. He is highly regarded for his work rate and 1-on-1 skills. He also demonstrates an ability score with both feet.[1]

Career

Youth

DeLeon played three years for Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, Arizona from 2004 to 2007. DeLeon started his collegiate career at University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2008, and led freshmen in appearances with 18, starting in 12, and earned 3 assists in his first year.[2] DeLeon scored two goals and two assists in 12 appearances his sophomore year. In the summer of 2010, DeLeon took part in and scored in the U.S. Open Cup with Phoenix-based NPSL team Arizona Sahuaros.[3] After this year, DeLeon decided to transfer to the University of Louisville for the 2010 season. DeLeon had a very successful first season with the Cardinals, starting all 24 games and scoring 8 goals and 3 assists, and was named to the All-Big East first team.[4] The Cardinals won the 2010 Big East Soccer Tournament[5] and advanced to the final of the 2010 College Cup, where they fell 1–0 to the Akron Zips. In DeLeon's senior season at Louisville, he again started every game, scoring 6 goals and 6 assists, and was again named to the All-Big East first team. DeLeon's two goals in the Cardinals' first two games helped them to the quarterfinals of the 2011 College Cup and saw him named to the Cup's All-Tournament team.[6] DeLeon was invited to the 2012 MLS Combine based on his strong collegiate performances.

Professional

DeLeon signed with Major League Soccer on December 29, 2011, and was chosen with the 7th overall pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United.[7] He made his first appearance for United On March 18, 2012 coming on as a substitute in the second half against the LA Galaxy. He scored D.C.'s only goal in a 3–1 loss, curling a right-footed shot just inside the back post, earning DeLeon a nomination for Goal of the Week.[8] On November 8, DeLeon scored the winning goal in the 88th minute to knock the New York Red Bulls out of the playoffs and to take DC United to the Eastern Conference finals, where United were defeated by the Houston Dynamo. DeLeon would feature in 28 games on the season, starting 25, running up a total of six goals and four assists. In the post-season, DeLeon was voted runner-up for the 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year award, losing out to fellow University of Louisville alum Austin Berry of the Chicago Fire.

International career

Born in the United States, DeLeon is also eligible to represent Trinidad and Tobago through his father, a former Trinidadian international. DeLeon was called up for Trinidad and Tobago's qualifying campaign for the 2012 Summer Olympics but declined.[9] In January 2013, DeLeon was called up for Trinidad and Tobago's senior friendly against Peru on February 6, 2013[10] but once again declined. DeLeon stated his desire to represent the United States internationally but did not eliminate the possibility of representing Trinidad and Tobago in the future.[11]

Personal

Nick is the son of former Trinidadian international[9] and NASL player Leroy DeLeon, who played with the Washington Diplomats in the 1970s.

Honors

DC United

See also

  • List of current MLS players

References

  1. ↑ "24 Under 24: #16: Nick DeLeon". 
  2. ↑ "Nicholas DeLeon". University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  3. ↑ "2010 US Open Cup First Round: Sahuaros knock out defending PDL champions in PK shootout". United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  4. ↑ "Nick DeLeon". University of Louisville. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  5. ↑ "Louisville Wins 2010 BIG EAST Champions Cup on Penalty Kicks". Big East Conference. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  6. ↑ "DeLeon Signs with MLS Early". University of Louisville. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Nick DeLeon selected with seventh overall in 2012 MLS SuperDraft". D.C. United. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  8. ↑ Goff, Steven. "After 3-1 loss, United is showing signs of trouble this season". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 March 2012. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Freedman, Jonah. "Report: DC's DeLeon called up by Trinidad and Tobago". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 28 January 2013. 
  10. ↑ "De Leon gets the call for T&T friendly against Peru". The T&T Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2013. 
  11. ↑ Goff, Steven. "Nick DeLeon declines T&T call-up". Washington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2013. 

External links

D.C. United – current squad
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