Diogo Pacheco Explained

Diogo Pacheco
Fullname:Diogo Manuel das Neves de Oliveira Pacheco
Birth Date:13 September 1998
Birth Place:Lisbon, Portugal
Height:1.80 m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:FC Tulsa
Clubnumber:70
Youthyears1:2006–2009
Youthclubs1:Odivelas
Youthyears2:2009–2014
Youthclubs2:Benfica
Youthyears3:2014–2017
Youthclubs3:Belenenses
Collegeyears1:2018–2021
College1:Akron Zips
Collegecaps1:52
Collegegoals1:17
Years1:2017
Clubs1:Loures
Caps1:6
Goals1:0
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Alverca
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:Minnesota United 2
Caps3:47
Goals3:11
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:FC Tulsa
Caps4:11
Goals4:3
Club-Update:14 July 2024

Diogo Manuel das Neves de Oliveira Pacheco (born 13 September 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for FC Tulsa of the USL Championship.

Career

Early career and college

Pacheco began his career with Odivelas, before moving to be part of the famous Benfica academy until he was 15 years old. He later signed with Belenenses and helped the team win the under-19 National Championship during the 2016–17 season.[1] He left Belenenses at 18 and signed subsequently had spells with third tier sides Loures and Alverca, before receiving an opportunity to move to the United States to play college soccer at the University of Akron. He played four years with the Zips, making 52 appearances, scoring 17 goals and tallying eleven assists. Pacheco earned accolades such as Third Team All-American selection by United Soccer Coaches, First Team Scholar All-American honoree by United Soccer Coaches, First-Team All-MAC, Academic All-MAC, First-Team All-Ohio honoree, and First-Team Academic All-Ohio.[2]

Pacheco was considered a potential high draft pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft,[3] but ended up going undrafted.

Career in the United States

Pacheco signed with MLS Next Pro side Minnesota United 2 in March 2022 ahead of their inaugural season.[4] He played two seasons with Minnesota's reserve team and made 47 regular season appearances, scoring eleven goals and adding ten assists.[5] On 21 December 2023, it was announced that Pacheco would join USL Championship side FC Tulsa ahead of their 2024 season.[6] [7] He scored two goals on his first full start for the club on 8 June 2024 against San Antonio FC.[8] He was subsequently named to the USL Championship team of the week.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Diogo Pacheco: The Man Behind the Miracle | Minnesota United FC. MNUFC.
  2. Web site: Diogo Pacheco - Men's Soccer. University of Akron Athletics.
  3. Web site: N.E. Revolution start preseason training Monday, to face Haitian club Cavaly AS on Feb. 15. João Gonçalves, O. Jornal. correspondent. Fall River Herald News.
  4. Web site: Minnesota United Announce MNUFC2 Roster for Inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Season | Minnesota United FC. MNUFC.
  5. Web site: Diogo Pacheco | MLSsoccer.com. mlsnextpro.
  6. Web site: FC Tulsa Signs Diogo Pacheco for the 2024 USL Championship Season.
  7. Web site: Tulsa adds Portuguese playmaker Diogo Pacheco. NICHOLAS MURRAY-. nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com. 21 December 2023. USL Championship.
  8. Web site: A Match of Firsts: Pacheco Makes Mark in First USL Championship Start.
  9. Web site: Diogo Pacheco and Owen Damm both named to USL Week 14 Team of the Week.