Played four seasons at San Francisco and served as team captain ...He also stood out in the classroom, taking home WCC All-Academic distinction as a senior Exercise and Sports Science major. Â
2010 SEASON: Appeared in 17 matches for the Dons with 13 starting assignments as a freshman… recorded all points during West Coast Conference play… made first collegiate goal memorable with a sensational strike at Portland (10/17)… fired 12 shots with four shots on goal (.333) added two assists on the season – against Santa Clara (10/22) and in a 2-0 shutout triumph against Gonzaga (10/31). Diaz De Leon was a mainstay in the midfield from his freshman year, earning All-Conference honors each season, and earned a spot on the All-Freshman team following his rookie campaign in 2010.
2011: Started all 14 matches (4 goals, 2 assists) before suffering season-ending injury at the end of October … Diaz De Leon garnered All-WCC Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore.
2012: Started all 18 matches for the Dons (5 goals, 2 assists) and earned First Team All-WCC honors … In his junior campaign, Diaz De Leon was an All-WCC first team performer while becoming the first Don since 2009 to earn third team All-Far West Region honors after notching five goals and a pair of assists, putting him among the top-10 in the conference in overall points.Â
Â
2013: Started all 19 matches he played in (1 goal, 3 assists) … As a senior, Diaz De Leon earned Second Team All-WCC recognition, tallying a goal and a team-best three assists.
PREP/CLUB CAREER: A native of San Diego, Diaz De Leon graduated from San Diego High School where he was a four-sport athlete, also lettering in football, swimming and volleyball. He came to USF as the No. 29 ranked recruit in the class of 2010 following a prep career that saw him earn a bevy of accolades, including multiple MVP awards, league player of the year honors and a CIF section finals appearance with his team. … a two-time Adidas ESP Camp selection… scored 22 goals during standout prep career with the Cavers... a two-time team MVP and a two-time All-Eastern League First Team selection… earned Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore... helped SDHS win the Eastern League title in 2008 and the team advanced to the CIF San Diego Section Division I finals... also competed on the varsity football, swimming and volleyball squads.Â
PERSONAL: Born April of 1992… In addition to completing his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at USF, Diaz De Leon earned his Master's degree in Collegiate Athletics as well. He is currently completing a PhD in Education.
Mauricio Diaz De Leon joined the USF coaching staff prior to the 2015 season as director of operations for two years following a standout playing career on the Hilltop. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and holds a National C License through the United States Soccer Federation.
Diaz De Leon also served as the Head Coach for the 2001 and 2002 SF Elite Academy boys teams. Following his USF career, Diaz De Leon played with the Seattle Sounders U23 squad, winning the the PDL Pacific Northwest Championship and making a Final Four appearance in the summer of 2011, along with a second round appearance in the U.S. Open Cup in the spring of 2012 with the Sounders. He also played with SF City Fotball Club where he helped lead the squad to a 2014 U.S. Open Cup appearance.
Â
