MLS: Top 5 full-backs in the league right now
By Matt Coles
4. Nick DeLeon
Taking the No.4 spot on our list of the best current full-backs in the league is a man who has been in Major League Soccer since 2012, Toronto FC’s Nick DeLeon.
Prior to making his professional debut in the league in 2012, the Phoenix-born full-back started his collegiate career in Las Vegas, at the University of Nevada, before then playing for the Louisville Cardinals in his final two years in the academic system. He also featured for NPSL side Arizona Sahuaros in 2010, scoring in a U.S. Open Cup match.
MLS Career & Honours:
- D.C. United (2012-2018)
- Toronto FC (2019-)
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- U.S. Open Cup – 2013
DeLeon was chosen with the 7th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and instantly became a key part of the D.C. United squad, including scoring on his debut in the league in a 3-1 defeat to LA Galaxy, with his curling striker nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. He went on to record his best figures in the league in his rookie season, scoring six goals and assisting on four others in 28 regular-season appearances.
A year later, and the defender was part of the United team that lifted the U.S. Open Cup, playing further forward in midfield in the final, as D.C. overcame Real Salt Lake to win the domestic cup competition for the third time in their history.
DeLeon went on to notch a further 120 regular-season matches during his time with D.C., including starting a career-high 31 games during the 2014 campaign, before the franchise declined the option on his contract following the 2018 term. He was selected by Toronto FC in the 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft and has gone on to become the club’s starting right-back.
In his first season with the club, the 2019 campaign, DeLeon matches his figures from his rookie year, scoring six times while recording four assists, but managing to do so in over 300 fewer minutes on the field of play. He was part of the side that went all the way through to MLS Cup 2019, after scoring twice during their post-season run, but the Canadian side lost out to Seattle Sounders, who claimed the title for the second time in four years.
The American defender, who could also represent Trinidad & Tobago through his father’s nationality, is yet to make an international bow, but he will remain a key part of TFC’s plans going forward, as the club signed him to an extension just four games into the 20212 campaign.