Interview #53- David Diosa

David Diosa is an American-Colombia professional soccer player. Being born in Colombia, Diosa moved to America at a young age and played for the New York Cosmos Academy. After propelling through the academy ranks, Diosa made history and scored the Cosmos first goal of the historic reboot. A legendary club that featured the likes of Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, Diosa cemented his legacy in the club at a young age.  Following his great time with the Cosmos, the 27 year old  played with the OKC Energy and Real Monarchs. After those stints, Diosa came back to New York to play with the Cosmos again and recently joined another historic club, the Richmond Kickers. Now playing in the USL League One, Diosa is a creative player who makes an impact on the game night in and night out.

THE DAVID DIOSA INTERVIEW

1. Born in Colombia, you moved to America at a young age. What was your youth career like?
Youth career was different here, I got into this soccer school, but then went to a club team called Bw Gottschee, I was doing ODP too every year, when i was 17 or 18 started playing for cosmos academy, I did really good there and that's how I got into the first team, I had a good season and Gio Savarese liked what he saw. 

2. With the Cosmos Youth Academy, you scored the first Cosmos goal in 25 years. What does that mean to you?
 Means a lot, It was a big deal at that time, so I felt special about it. And it's nice to have done that for such a historic club. 

3. After your  time with the New York Cosmos Youth Academy, you signed with the first team. How were you feeling after signing your first professional contract?
It was a great feeling, something I was working for a while, something I wanted since I was little and to sign with a club where pele played felt amazing.

4. Describe your emotions as you stepped onto the pitch as a professional for the first time with the Cosmos.
I was excited and happy but to be honest I was really nervous, I'm always nervous before games but I love that feeling, but that day I was nervous on another level. But from there I learned how to handle it afterwards.

5. How was your transition from youth academy to pro? What’s the biggest difference you noticed in that step-up?
Transition was hard, can't lie, everything is different, specially because the team was full of experience players who have played MLS, Europe, etc.You go from training 3 days a week, to train everyday is not easy and you go from playing every game in academy to not playing much its hard but I've learn to have that patience and just work because you have to be ready for when they give you the chance.

6. In 2017 you left the Cosmos and joined OKC Energy. How did you handle the move away from your boyhood club, the New York Cosmos?
It was exciting to be in a new team, but felt weird to be playing far from home and not playing for NY just because I was there for a while already. 

7. You only spent one month with the Energy before transferring back to the Cosmos. How was your lone month with OKC?
It was a good month, I enjoyed it, a great month of preseason, a great organization but I can't say much because I wasn’t there for too long.

8. Coming back to the Cosmos for your second stint with the club, what was your mindset like?
Well the season before with cosmos I had a good season , I was one of the nominees for best goal of the year , and for young player of the year and we also won the championship that year. So coming back I had that experience mindset and just hungry for more and more. 

9. In 2018, you went to the Real Monarchs, what was it like to move away from New York for a second time?
It was kinda hard to be honest, this time I kinda knew I was going to be there the whole year so was kind of nervous about it, but at the same time I was excited for a new experience with a new city and a new club. 


10. How did your first move away from the Cosmos to the OKC Energy differ from your one to the Monarchs?
It was kinda hard to be honest, this time I kinda knew I was going to be there the whole year so was kind of nervous about it, but at the same time I was excited for a new experience with a new city and a new club. 

11. What was your experience with the Real Monarchs like?
I think just that before going there and talking to monarchs and my agent about going there, I was told they were really interested and they would tell me how I have the chance to make it to the first team if everything went well so I think that's the only difference, I knew I had that chance there. 

12. In 2019, you came back back to the Cosmos for your third stint. What does that club mean to you?
Yea cosmos means a lot to me , that's where I started my career as a pro so That's something that I won't forget , plus We won a few NASL  championships so it's just things I won't forget and I'm grateful for being part of a historic team.

13. How was this past season with the Cosmos?
Signing with Richmond was exciting. Didn’t know too much about them, but now that I have been here I learned how much the team means to the city and how historic it is here,  so just really excited to play for the Kickers.

14. How have you and your team been staying fit during this quarantine process?
It's been a few tough months due to this pandemic but all the guys are very professional and while we couldn’t train as a team we all did our own individual training, our coaches sent us and scheduled what to do every day. But now we been back training in small groups at stadium and It looks like we’ll be back to normal training soon 

15. What are your expectations for this session (when it resumes)?
Expectations are high, obviously it's a different type of season due to the situation but expectations are still the same, we all want to win games and championship but right now we are all working to be ready for our first game. 

16. Who’s your greatest role model and why?
Greatest role model I'll say , my mom. She came to this country to give me a better life. It's just amazing how hard she worked and the amount of things she has done for me and my sister.

17. What has been your great professional soccer experience so far?
For me my greatest professional experience has to be playing with Raul( whos a spain and real madrid legend, marcos senna who is a spain and Villareal legend, and juan arango Who has played at top level and who is a legend for venezuelan national team, I grew up watching this guys play on tv so for me it's a dream come true to have played with legends.  and of course winning 3 NASL championships those are things i'll never forget.

Chris Dailey

Founder, The Sports Court

Big thanks to David for the great interview! Amazing player on the pitch and great person off of it! Best of luck this upcoming season!

Photos via https://www.nycosmos.com and https://www.rsl.com/players/david-diosa