Nick DeLeon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Nick DeLeon

DeLeon playing for D.C. United in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Nicholas Lee DeLeon
Date of birth	(1990-07-17) July 17, 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position	Midfielder, Full Back
Youth career
1998–2009	CISCO Soccer Club
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2010	Arizona Sahuaros	0	(0)
2012–2018	D.C. United	180	(13)
2019–2021	Toronto FC	69	(8)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 7, 2021. † Appearances (Goals).

Nicholas Lee DeLeon (born July 17, 1990) is an American professional soccer player. He usually plays as a midfielder, which means he helps both attack and defense. Sometimes, he also plays as a full-back. Nick is known for working very hard and being good at playing against one opponent. He can also score goals using both his left and right feet.

Club Career

Youth Soccer Journey

Nick DeLeon played soccer for Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, Arizona. He played there for three years, from 2004 to 2007.

After high school, Nick started his college soccer career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2008. In his first year, he played in 18 games, starting 12 of them. He also made 3 assists, helping his teammates score goals. In his second year, he scored two goals and made two assists in 12 games. In the summer of 2010, Nick played in the U.S. Open Cup for a team called Arizona Sahuaros. He even scored a goal in that tournament.

Nick then moved to the University of Louisville for the 2010 season. He had a great first year with the Louisville Cardinals. He started all 24 games and scored 8 goals, along with 3 assists. Because of his excellent play, he was named to the All-Big East first team. The Cardinals won the 2010 Big East Soccer Tournament. They also reached the final of the 2010 College Cup, but they lost 1–0.

In his final year at Louisville, Nick continued to play well. He started every game again, scoring 6 goals and making 6 assists. He was once more named to the All-Big East first team. His two goals in the first two games helped the Cardinals reach the quarterfinals of the 2011 College Cup. He was also named to the Cup's All-Tournament team. Because he played so well in college, Nick was invited to the 2012 MLS Combine. This event helps professional teams find new players.

Professional Soccer Career

DeLeon playing for DC United in 2012

Nick DeLeon officially signed with Major League Soccer (MLS) on December 29, 2011. He was chosen by D.C. United as the 7th player overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

He played his first game for D.C. United on March 18, 2012. He came into the game as a substitute against the LA Galaxy. Nick scored D.C. United's only goal in that game, a nice shot with his right foot. This goal was so good that it was nominated for Goal of the Week.

On November 8, Nick scored an important goal in the 88th minute. This goal helped D.C. United beat the New York Red Bulls in the playoffs. It sent D.C. United to the Eastern Conference finals. In that season, Nick played in 28 games, starting 25 of them. He scored a total of six goals and made four assists. After the season, he was the runner-up for the 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year award.

After the 2018 season, D.C. United decided not to keep Nick for the 2019 season. In December 2018, Toronto FC chose him in the 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Nick scored his first goal for Toronto FC in their first game of the 2019 season. This was on March 2, 2019, against Philadelphia Union. He also scored a goal against his old team, D.C. United, on June 29, 2019. He scored against D.C. United again in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs on October 19, 2019. Toronto FC won that game 5–1. On October 30, 2019, Nick scored the winning goal against Atlanta United FC in a 2–1 victory. He left Toronto FC after the 2021 season.

International Career

Nick DeLeon was born in the United States. However, he can also play for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. This is because his father is from Trinidad and Tobago.

Nick was asked to play for Trinidad and Tobago in their qualifying games for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He decided not to play at that time. In January 2013, he was asked again to play for Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly game against Peru. He declined this invitation as well. Nick said he wanted to play for the United States. But he also said he might play for Trinidad and Tobago in the future. In 2016, his father mentioned that Nick was ready to play for Trinidad and Tobago. However, as of October 2021, Nick has not played for either country's senior national team.

Personal Life

Nick DeLeon's father is Leroy DeLeon. Leroy was also a professional soccer player. He played for Trinidad and Tobago internationally and for the Washington Diplomats in the 1970s.

Nick DeLeon married his longtime girlfriend, Jordan Trimble, on December 14, 2013. They have two children together. Their daughter was born on August 10, 2016, and their son was born in September 2017.

Career statistics

Club

Honors

D.C. United

• U.S. Open Cup: 2013

See also

In Spanish: Nick DeLeon para niños