Mauricio Diaz-Deleon has recently committed to San Francisco, the FC San Diego attacker choosing the school over a host of other options, including Cal Poly, San Diego, and UC Irvine.

Deleon will bring a sense of hard work and perseverance to the Dons, traits that have permeated FC San Diego the past couple years.

“His story is really one of commitment and dedication that goes beyond what most of us ever had to contend with,” said coach Mike Lopez. “He is a kid who has very little in the way of material things, and comes from a situation that most kids aren't able to rise above. But he managed to keep nearly a 4.0 average, avoid the distractions, and focus enough to give himself an incredible opportunity.”

Deleon isn’t the most vocal of players, maybe the closest thing he has to a weakness, but he leads with his uncompromising effort. He trains the way he plays and that rubs off on those with lesser ability around him.

As a player, Deleon is a natural. Lopez plays him at striker to provide the team with extra firepower up top, but he could really put him anywhere he wanted.

His soccer instincts allow him to understand spaces and timing and he also has the athleticism to do almost anything a position calls for.

“I think he’s probably better at center midfielder than he is up top. He can easily play the wing and is a natural at center back,” Lopez said. “He is a student of the game and someone who understands that success is the result of having good habits.”

While he has yet to receive big exposure he has stood out at ESP gatherings alongside players like Soony Saad, Ted Mullin, Marquez Fernandez, Clayton Adams and Brian Visser.

Maybe college will be the next step in garnering more attention for a player who deserves it.

“All his teammates know what he works to overcome,” Lopez said. “And when they see him work without a word of complaint, without needing to be asked to work harder, there are really no excuses for the others to not follow suit. He will have that same effect at USF. I am certain.”

California Love

Deleon’s teammate Reynard Simbwa is currently in Raleigh, North Carolina, playing in the ODP Boys Winter Interregional. Simbwa is an intelligent and quick defender who can cover and get the ball forward.

Kevin Huezo, of the Irvine Strikers, is also playing good soccer. He was impressive at the recent Development Academy Winter Showcase and has a nonstop motor and good physical skills.