Nick DeLeon

Nicholas Lee DeLeon (born July 17, 1990) is an American soccer player currently playing for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. Although he is capable of playing as a full-back, he typically plays as a wide midfielder, working towards the center. He is highly regarded for his work rate and 1-on-1 skills. He also demonstrates an ability to score with both feet.[1]

Nick DeLeon
Deleon in 2014
Personal information
Full name Nicholas Lee DeLeon
Date of birth (1990-07-17) July 17, 1990
Place of birth Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position(s) Midfielder, Full Back
Club information
Current team
 Toronto FC
Number 18
Youth career
1998–2009 CISCO Soccer Club
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 UNLV Rebels 29 (7)
2010–2011 Louisville Cardinals 46 (14)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 Arizona Sahuaros 0 (0)
2012–2018 D.C. United 180 (13)
2019– Toronto FC 35 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 21, 2020

Club 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]

DeLeon transferred to the University of Louisville for the 2010 season. DeLeon had a 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 playing for DC United in 2012

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 D.C. 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. On November 1, 2018, DeLeon scored a volley in the 116th minute of an MLS Playoff game against Columbus Crew. DeLeon eventually missed the decisive penalty as the Crew won 3–2 on PK’s.

Following the 2018 season, D.C. declined the 2019 contract option on DeLeon. In December 2018, he was selected by Toronto FC in the 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft.[9]

DeLeon scored his first goal for Toronto FC in the 2019 season opener on March 2, 2019 against Philadelphia Union.[10] He scored a goal against his former club, D.C. United on June 29, 2019.[11] He scored against D.C. United again in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs on October 19, 2019. The game ended in a 5–1 win for Deleon's side.[12] On October 30, 2019, Deleon scored the winning goal against Atlanta United FC in a 2–1 win.[13]

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.[14] In January 2013, DeLeon was called up for Trinidad and Tobago's senior friendly against Peru on February 6, 2013,[15] 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.[16] In January 2016, DeLeon's father told Trinidadian media that his son was ready to play for Trinidad and Tobago and was working on acquiring a passport for the country.[17]

Personal life

Nick is the son of former Trinidadian international[14] and NASL player Leroy DeLeon, who played with the Washington Diplomats in the 1970s.

DeLeon married his longtime girlfriend Jordan Trimble on December 14, 2013. They have one child, a girl, born August 10, 2016, and are expecting their second child, a son in September 2017.

Career statistics
As of match played 10 November 2019[18][19]
Club Season League Playoffs[lower-alpha 1] Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arizona Sahuaros 2010 NPSL ––21–21
D.C. United 2012 MLS 2864220–348
2013 252–51–303
2014 322210000343
2015 292301120353
2016 321100020351
2017 190–00–190
2018 1501100–161
Total 18013114824020319
Toronto FC 2019 MLS 3264222103910
Career total 212191561255024229
  1. All appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs

Honors

D.C. United

References
  1. "24 Under 24: #16: Nick DeLeon". MLS Soccer. September 11, 2012.
  2. "Nicholas DeLeon". University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  3. "2010 US Open Cup First Round: Sahuaros knock out defending PDL champions in PK shootout". United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  4. "Nick DeLeon". University of Louisville. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  5. "Louisville Wins 2010 BIG EAST Champions Cup on Penalty Kicks". Big East Conference. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  6. "DeLeon Signs with MLS Early". University of Louisville. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  7. "Nick DeLeon selected with seventh overall in 2012 MLS SuperDraft". dcunited.com. D.C. United. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  8. Goff, Steven (March 19, 2012). "After 3–1 loss, United is showing signs of trouble this season". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  9. "Nick DeLeon selected by Toronto FC in Stage 1 of 2018 Re-Entry Draft". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  10. "Michael Bradley sets tone in Toronto FC's season-opening win". cbc.ca. CBC Radio Canada. March 2, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  11. Rodriguez, Alicia (June 29, 2019). "DC United 1, Toronto FC 1 | 2019 MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  12. "Toronto FC scores 4 goals in extra time, beats DC United 5-1". wtop.com. October 19, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  13. Rodriguez, Alicia (October 30, 2019). "Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 2 | 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs Match Recap". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  14. Freedman, Jonah. "Report: DC's DeLeon called up by Trinidad and Tobago". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  15. "De Leon gets the call for T&T friendly against Peru". The T&T Guardian. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  16. Goff, Steven. "Nick DeLeon declines T&T call-up". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  17. Keefer, Ryan. "Nick DeLeon's father says son "wants to come and play" for Trinidad & Tobago". Black and Red United. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  18. Nick DeLeon at Soccerway
  19. Nick DeLeon at Major League Soccer
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