Diego Walsh

Diego Walsh (born 8 December 1979 in Santos) is a Brazilian footballer who last played for TOT S.C. in the Thai Premier League.

Diego Walsh
Personal information
Full name Diego Costa Bastos Walsh
Date of birth (1979-12-08) 8 December 1979
Place of birth Santos, Brazil
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1999–2002 SMU Mustangs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003 Columbus Crew 14 (1)
2004–2005 Kansas City Wizards 16 (0)
2006 Real Salt Lake 0 (0)
2006 Miami FC 22 (5)
2006–2009 Adelaide United 30 (1)
2010–2011 Wellington Phoenix 12 (0)
2011 Charleston Battery 5 (0)
2011–2012 TOT S.C. 27 (9)
Total 126 (16)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
Diego warming up before the A-League match against the Newcastle Jets

Career

Youth and College

While growing up in Brazil, Diego played in the youth system of Santos FC, before moving to Miami, Florida at the age of 14. He played club soccer for Miami Strike Force, and was a major part of a talented team which won 5 consecutive state championships, 2 regional championships, and finished second in the National Championship.

Diego turned down numerous other university scholarships to play four years of college soccer for Southern Methodist University, from 1999 to 2002, on a full scholarship. In both his junior and senior years, Diego was a NSCAA first team All-American. He is also currently SMU's all-time leader in assists, with 39, and ranks fifth in goals, also with 39. He was later named in the NSCAA "Team of the Decade," in 2010.

Professional

Upon graduating, Diego was drafted seventh overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew. Walsh did not garner much time with the Crew, although playing extremely well when he was given the opportunity earning Columbus Crew Goal of the Year for 2003. He was traded at the end of the season to the Kansas City Wizards.

Although Diego started the season with a starting role in the Wizards' offense because of an injury to Preki, Diego did not fit into the Kansas City style of play. He was released by Kansas City Wizards during the 2005 season. After a brief stint with Real Salt Lake in the 2006 pre-season, he was released again, and played for Miami FC along with Brazilian superstar Romario where the pair helped the team make it to the USL playoffs in its first year in the league.

Diego joined Adelaide United in the Australian A-League during the 2006/2007 season after impressive displays during two Miami FC friendlies in Adelaide, which were organised by former Adelaide United chairman Mel Patzwald who facilitated both the Romario transfer as well as the sister relationship between both clubs and was instrumental in the Adelaide United Brazilian connection.[1] which also netted United former World Player of the Year Romario. Diego was recommended to Adelaide by Romario himself, who regarded him highly as a player.

He debuted impressively against Sydney FC on 14 January 2007, with an assist to Fernando for an 88th-minute winner. During his second season with Adelaide United, he established himself as an excellent defensive and central midfielder, not only for Adelaide but in the whole A-League, and was regarded by his teammates as the outstanding player of the 2008 Asian Champions League campaign. He was the team's top goal scorer with 4 goals helping Adelaide United reach the 2008 Asian Champions League final for the first time. Adelaide United ended up losing the final to Gamba Osaka of Japan.

In a shock decision for Adelaide fans, Diego was released by the club on 20 January 2009. Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar cited Diego's 19 starts out of a possible 41 in two seasons, as a key factor in the decision. "He missed 50 per cent of the games due to injury – hamstrings, quads and back," said Vidmar.[2] He was signed up by the Wellington Phoenix, on a two-year contract[3] and became a firm favorite with the Wellington Phoenix supporter's group Yellow Fever.[4]

On 20 May 2011 it was announced that he had signed a temporary contract with Charleston Battery.[5] On 6 July 2011 it was announced in the Thai media that Diego had taken up a contract with Thai Premier League team TOT S.C..

He is currently an assistant coach at NCAA D1 program Grand Canyon University.

A-League Career Statistics
All-Time Club Performances
Club Season A-League Finals Series Asia Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Adelaide United
(A-League)		 2006–07 6 0 6 0
2007–08 16 1 16 1
2008–09 8 0 1 0 13 4 22 4
Club Total30110134445
Club Season A-League Finals Series Asia Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Wellington Phoenix F.C.
(A-League)		 2009–10 12 0 1 0 13 0
2010–11 0 0 0 0 0 0
Club Total12010130
Career totals 42 1 2 0 13 4 57 5
Last updated 21 February 2011
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References
  1. "Brazilian Diego joins Adelaide United". ABC News. 9 January 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  2. Earle, Richard (21 January 2009). "Adelaide United sack Brazilian midfield star Diego, Aurelio Vidmar cites injuries". Foxsports.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009.
  3. "Ex-Red Diego Signs For 'Nix". Au.fourfourtwo.com. 23 January 2009.
  4. "Diego leaves Wellington Phoenix to Return to U.S". Nz.sports.yahoo.com. 21 February 2011.
  5. Mikey (19 May 2011). "Veteran Midfielder Diego Walsh joins the Battery". Noquartersoccer.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012.
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