From College Cup to MLS Cup, Catching Up with Nick DeLeon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For any athlete, reaching the pinnacle of your sport means winning a championship the lifting that trophy in celebration. For former University of Louisville men's soccer standout Nick DeLeon, he and his teammates on Toronto FC are looking to do just that this Sunday, November 10, at 3 p.m. ET, when they face the Seattle Sounders in the 2019 MLS Cup finals.

DeLeon played two seasons for the Cardinals (2010 and 2011), helping lead UofL to the 2010 NCAA National Championship game. Although they fell to Akron 1-0 in the final, it was a Louisville team that finished the year 20-1-3 and was ranked No. 1 in the country for nearly two months. He was a two-time First Team All-Big East selection for the Cards and was a two-time All-Region selection. In just two seasons, DeLeon scored 14 goals and had nine assists in 46 games, including five game-winners. In 2012 DeLeon became, at the time, Louisville's highest MLS SuperDraft selection, when he was chosen seventh overall by DC United, whom he played seven seasons for.

Since entering the league, DeLeon has appeared in 224 career games and made 194 starts. In 2012, he was an MLS Rookie of the Year finalist after finishing with six goals and four assists. In his MLS career, he has scored 25 goals, six of which have come in the postseason, and two of which have come in 2019. He scored the game-winner to send TFC to the MLS Cup finals in a 2-1 win over Atlanta United FC October 30.

Before turning his attention to the MLS Cup finals, DeLeon took time away to catch up with us and talk about his time at Louisville.

Q: Looking back now, what do you remember most about playing at Louisville?
Nick: Looking back at my time in Louisville there are two moments that really stand out. First, the run to the national championship in 2010. Second, the guys I played with and some of the lifelong relationships I formed.

Q: What do you miss about playing at UofL?
N: One of the main things I miss about playing at Louisville is believe it or not the amateurism. We were a close team and that's something I will always cherish. The professional level naturally has different dynamics.

Q: This is your eighth season playing in the MLS, how was playing at UofL able to prepare you for such a long pro career?
N: Yeah, eight seasons have seemed to fly by. The main way I would say UofL helped me prepare was the time and coaching. Basically, I was very immature and needed my time in college to learn and grow. I needed that time to understand the demands and the mentality needed to be successful. (Former assistant coach) Mario Sanchez was a big part of that, constantly pushing me and making me feel uncomfortable, hence the growth.

Q: In your first season at UofL, that team made a run to the 2010 NCAA Championship Finals, what do you remember most about that run?
N: For anyone who has been a part of a special team they will get what I am about to say. For those that have not, let me try. The confidence and swagger we had that year was at an all-time high. It was a team belief that no matter how bad, good, or indifferent we played we were going to win no matter what. That feeling shared among 20-plus guys is something so powerful and special that I will never forget it.

Q: Are there any similarities between that run with 2010 UofL team went on, and the one you're on now with Toronto FC?
N: Yes, and it's exactly what I said [earlier], they're both special teams.

Q: You scored the game-winner for TFC to send your club to the MLS Cup finals. You made a similar play for UofL in 2011, scoring the game-winner in double overtime against Bradley in the NCAA Tournament. How do those two moments compare as you look back on them almost 9 years apart?
N: I didn't remember that Bradley moment until you just brought it up. Both moments were special in their own right. Both moments I got blackout excited. The only difference is the magnitude and level of the moment. I'm 29 now, these moments are rare and precious so I just cherish them so much more now.

Q: It's been noted that you excel during the playoffs. You've scored six goals in your MLS playoff career, and you scored four goals in the NCAA Tournament at UofL. What is it about the postseason that makes come through when your teams need it most?
N: This playoff question has been asked a ton in the last week. To be honest I still don't have a clear answer. The only way I can say it is I love big moments. I have been on the good side of big moments and on the bad side. But there is something about the big stage that I love.

Q: What would you tell current UofL players who want to follow in your footsteps of having a long and successful MLS career?
N: To the current UofL players…if you want the best chance to make it to the next level you have to put in the work on and off the field. I don't believe in sugar coating, it's hard and it's uncomfortable and it comes with sacrifice. I'll be the first to say I have seen plenty of players with more technical abilities than me not make it anywhere. But, what I had was the fight and willingness to push myself every day. When I say put in the work I don't mean go out there and just run aimlessly or lift really heavy weights. It's has to be calculated. Channel and master your skill. If you're an outside back, work on crossing and 1v1 defending. If you're a forward, put in the work every day to practice finishing. This is what I mean by put in the work. Then after stretching, ice baths or foam roll is the work that needs to happen off the field.

We want to thank Nick for taking the time to catch up with up and wish him the best of luck as he and the rest of Toronto FC take on the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup finals.

For the latest on Louisville men's soccer, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's social media accounts on Twitter @UofLMensSoccer, Facebook /UofLMensSoccer, and Instagram @UofLMensSoccer.

University of Louisville Athletics

From College Cup to MLS Cup, Catching Up with Nick DeLeon

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