Diego Barrera

College and amateur

Barrera was born in Bogotá, Colombia. His family moved to California when he was ten. Later he attended Thousand Oaks High School, and played three years of college soccer at Loyola Marymount University, where he was named to the College Soccer News All-Freshman Third Team, the All-WCC second team and the WCC All-Freshman Team in his debut year in 2004. He transferred to the University of New Mexico prior to his senior year in 2007. During his college career and beyond, Barrera played extensively with numerous Southern California teams in the USL Premier Development League, including the San Fernando Valley Quakes (twice), Hollywood United Hitmen and Ventura County Fusion (twice). He also made a Walmart TV commercial for the Fifa World Cup year 2010 Mom Knows Walmart

Professional

Barrera signed his first professional contract in March 2011, joining USL Pro club Wilmington Hammerheads. He made his professional debut on May 14, 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 win over F.C. New York. After the season at Wilmington, he played professional indoor soccer with the Syracuse Silver Knights in the MISL, before returning to California. Barrera then joined his home town based team, amateur side Cal FC in the USASA-affiliated La Gran Liga de Oxnard based in Oxnard, California. Year 2013 he signed his first contract in the Philippines with the first division team STALLION FC and won the United Football League Division One…