AM – Mauro Diaz – Shabab Al-Ahli (Arabian Gulf League, UAE)
The most attacking of the three-man midfield for FC Dallas on the day they beat the New England Revolution to win a second USOC was Argentinian Mauro Diaz. Diaz helped the side through to the final by assisting both of FCD’s goals in extra time of the semi-final against the LA Galaxy, before scoring a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time to increase the team’s lead to 3-1 in the final against the Revs.
His professional career started with Argentinian giants River Plate, where he spent the first five years of his playing time. After a short loan spell with Unión Española, Diaz made the move to the States signing for FC Dallas. The Argentine instantly became a fan favourite down in Frisco and went on to play more than 100 times for the club in his five seasons in MLS.
During that time he scored 25 goals, including the one in the USOC final in 2016, and he helped the side to the double that year, along with the Supporters’ Shield crown at the end of the regular season. In July 2018, the Argentine made the move to the United Arab Emirates, signing for Shabab Al-Ahli, and he helped them to a second-place finish in the Pro League in his first season in the country.