United Soccer Club would like to take a moment to share this amazing story, and celebrate this very special announcement for one of its former players.

Manny Delgado (19) and his siblings Ernesto Delgado (18), and Mari Julia Delgado (17), and Maribel Delgado (20) are a soccer loving family.  They always have been, and they always will be.  There is not a day that goes by that they do not long to play soccer.  That passion for soccer came from their father and mother who grew up in Mexico, loving the game. 

Manny’s father, Manny Sr, was a youth professional in Mexico playing in the youth Academy for renowned Mexican Professional club, PUMAS.  As a young man, he made the decision to commit to taking care of his family, his wife and daughter Maribel. They moved to the states and he sacrificed his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.  Soon there after their family grew as Manny Jr was born, then Nesto, and Marijulia (Marigol!!)  Manny Sr. vowed to pass on his passion and skill for futbol to his children so they could continue the path of love for the game he had.  He has kept to that word, as he has raised some of the most skillful soccer players in North Alabama.
Manny Jr. possesses his father's skills and passion for the game. He has had a tremendous youth career playing  FC Barcelona under coach Pancho Vasquez, River City United under Coach Mike Remus and has played for United Soccer Club under coaches Phil Moyer, Will League, and Mike Latty.  He also was a standout star player at West Morgan High School where he played under coach Sam Dean, who Manny says was a great influence for him encouraging him down the right path.

In December, Manny and his father negotiated an opportunity through USC Coach Paul Cano to go to Mexico for a trial with a Division 3 Club, Diablos FC in Guadalajara Mexico (Diablos FC is a Mexican 3rd Division program in Guadalajara, Mexico and is affiliated to Mexican First Division Powerhouse Deportivo Toluca FC. Coach Paul Cano has many connections in professional soccer in Mexico after his time spent there as a player and a coach with many top level clubs such as Chivas FC, and Atlas FC.  Coach Cano arranged for Manny Delgado (USC 01B), and Nathan Delgado (USC 05B) to travel to Mexico in January and have trial period with the D3 club.

Manny and Nathan were roommates there at the Diablos FC Campus. They stayed in very nice facilities with a cafeteria on campus that provided breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner every day.  It is "soccer only" at the Diablos FC campus, (although they offer programs for young athletes to also prepare for future careers in coaching, and physical training.)

The athletes train 3 times a day, Monday through Friday.  Fitness sessions in the morning (either a 40 minute jog before breakfast), or on Mon/Wed the club Physical Trainer puts them through a rigorous Multi Functional fitness workout (the Physical Trainer was the PT for Chivas when Famous Mexican National Team Member Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez played there). The afternoon training sessions are from 3-5:30, with each day being something different, either technical skill work some days, and some days possession activities, set pieces, and game play.
Saturdays are for games, and Sundays are a recovery day.

Manny played in 8 games during his time there against teams from Necaxa, Queretaro, Monterrey FC and other programs from the Guadalajara area. In his first game he scored a goal, and in probably the most important game of his trial, he really had an excellent game as he led his Diablos FC U20 Team to victory over D1 Atlas FC U19 team with two assists on the day. This game has special significance for Manny, because on this particular day, a scout for US Soccer was there watching the game.  After the game, Manny’s Diablo FC coach let him know the scout had approached their staff, and wanted Manny’s contact.

Manny later received an email from the US U20 Men’s National Team Camp letting him know they had seen him play and would be contacting him with an invite to the U20 Training Camp. Shortly there after he exchanged emails with US U20 Men’s Head Coach Anthony Hudson. As it stands, Manny said he is on schedule to receive an invite to a 35 player trial camp in Chicago with the US U20 squad later this summer as soon as circumstances return to normal from worldwide complications due to Coronavirus.

This is Manny’s second trip to Mexico in his path to pursue a pro soccer career.  Back in in November he also went for a trial with First Division club, Pachuca. At that time he gained great insight and experience under the tutelage of “Coach Chuy” from Pachuca, which has helped him in this trial with Diablos FC. He aspires to get back to Pachuca, for another trial, among other professional clubs in Mexico, hoping to pursue the dream of playing pro soccer in the Mexican First Division, as well as for the US National Team.

For now, Manny has returned home to Decatur due to suspended league play around the world because of Coronavirus. He sticks to a steady daily work out regiment the Diablos FC program has him on. He works out on his own, and trains with his brother and sisters to stay in shape and start preparing for his trial with the US Men’s U20 National Squad, and until social circumstances return to normal and he can return Mexico to Diablo FC where he can continue pursuing his dream of a pro soccer career.

It is an honor for Manny to have this opportunity, to carry on his father’s skill and passion for the game, and dream of being a pro soccer player.

Manny would like to give thanks and appreciation to all of his former coaches and teammates in the North Alabama community for their support in helping him reach this opportunity in his career. He and his family are extremely grateful to United Soccer Club Coach Paul Cano, for his connections, and commitment to help Manny get to Mexico to a club where he can thrive and develop, and let his talents be seen giving him endless opportunities where these new roads can take him.

We are so proud for Manny to see this amazing opportunity. Manny’s father was a tremendous player in the Adult League in North Alabama, that has been loaded with tremendously skilled players for years. All of his kids are gifted players. Manny and Nesto were tremendous players for us on our 01 Boys, and their sister Maya is a top level player on our 03 Girls. We couldn’t be more proud and happy for Manny to see these opportunities unfold after many years of hard work and passion for the game. We are thankful to Coach Paul Cano for his pedigree of soccer, and the connections he has in the game through his time.
This unique story is an inspiration to all the kids in our community, that with hard work and commitment, you never know what path God has intended for you. Work your hardest and there are exciting things that lie in your future plan, just have trust in God.
~ USC Staff Director, Rusty Campbell