Diego Walsh

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…