SMU bids farewell to soccer star Diego Walsh

Eight years ago Brazilian native Diego Walsh left his home and moved with his family to Miami, Fla. Just a child, Walsh had no expectations for his life in a new country. He was aware of his passion for the game of soccer. He joined his middle school team and started what would become a brilliant career in soccer.

His high school coach saw Walsh’s capability and encouraged him to join a premier soccer club, Miami Strike Force. Coming out of high school, Walsh was regarded as one of the top midfield players in the country. He was heavily recruited and in 1999 made SMU his home.

As a freshman, SMU put him into its game plan. He played in 19 games, starting 16 times, and was fifth on the team with 10 total points. He established himself as a threat, recording 15 shots on goal. Walsh hit the game winner against San Jose State on Nov. 12, 1999, and at the end of the season received the WAC Freshman of the Year honor.

Head coach Schellas Hyndman says Walsh handled the pressure of the transition into the college game and developed into a great soccer player.

“I have seen a lot of players at this level and none of them can do as much for a team and have such the impact he does,” Hyndman said. “Diego is the premier soccer player in the country right now.”

In 2000, SMU soccer moved from the WAC into the Missouri Valley Conference. The move brought difficult competition and a rigorous year-round schedule. Walsh had no problem with the transition from WAC play to the more physical MVC style of soccer.

Teammate Tom Dolan said Walsh is the kind of person who handles change well.

“He is the jokester in the locker room, always loud and saying funny things,” Dolan said. “But he treats all the guys on the team with respect.”

The move to the MVC made Walsh stronger. He helped the team to a 14-game win streak. Walsh was third on the team with 10 goals, second on the team with 14 assists. He was third on the team with 34 total points and had 33 shots on goal to go along with four game-winners.

In his first year in the MVC, Walsh was MVC Player of the Year. At the end of the season, he was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Midwest Region second team.

CollegeSoccer.com and SoccerTimes.com granted Walsh an honorable mention All-American. And Walsh was a key part in the Mustangs’ run for the national title in 2000. He helped the Mustangs reach the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Walsh continued his success during the 2001 season. He was second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 11 assists. Walsh helped guide the team through a 21-game win streak and garnered more individual awards.

He was a NSCAA All-American first-team and was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Region first team.

Walsh’s success on the field was matched by his success as a student. Walsh, a business major with a 3.4 average, was named to the 2001 and the 2002 Inaugural Verizon Academic All-America soccer and MVC Scholar-Athlete men’s soccer teams.

For the second year in a row, he was chosen as the MVC Player of the Year and then was named one of 15 finalists for the Hermann Trophy Award – soccer’s most prestigious award. Walsh is the only student-athlete in MVC soccer history to earn Player of the Year honors on two occasions.

Walsh says there is no trick involved in maintaining a high GPA.

“You have to go to class and do your homework,” Walsh said. “And you have to make an effort to study when you’re traveling.”

This past season, Walsh started in all 21 of the Mustangs’ matches. He scored 17 goals, giving him 39 for his career and tying him for fifth on SMU’s all-time scoring list. Five of those goals turned out to be the game’s deciding goal. He also recorded eight assists, giving him 39 total assists in his career and moving him into first place on SMU’s all-time assist list.

Guy Bellaver, soccer writer for The Daily Campus, thinks highly of Walsh’s performance.

“Visually he is one of the most exciting players to watch,” Bellaver said. “There is no doubt in my mind he is one of the elite players in the country.”

Walsh hopes Major League Soccer has noted his success and ability and that he will be drafted in January. His first choice is to make the roster for the Dallas Burn so that he can remain close to his friends at SMU. However he realizes that anything could happen.

“I’m going to miss this place and all my friends,” Walsh said. “I never know where I am going to end up.”