Steve Diaz wasn’t supposed to be the starting goalkeeper for F.C. New York Friday night.
But when Tim Melia, on loan from Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, informed interim coach Paul Shaw he wasn’t going to arrive at Adelphi’s Motamed Field until close to game time, Diaz got the nod.
The Jackson Heights, Queens native delivered in a big way, making several huge saves in the second half to preserve a scoreless draw against the Richmond Kickers in a USL Pro league match.
“He was excellent,” Shaw said. “The thing with Steve is I think whenever he’s had an opportunity, he’s never disappointed. Every day in training he gives his best. He’s a game player. He’s ready for that time, his concentration is good and I thought he was great tonight and hopefully he’ll continue to be like that.”
Shaw was speaking about 90 minutes in Garden City, L.I., but it’s been true of Diaz’s entire career. He’s risen to the occasion when given the chance. It happened in three years at Julia Richmond HS, with the Brooklyn Knights in the Premier Development League, at Briarcliff College and now, as a professional, with F.C. New York.
The 6-foot Diaz started the season No. 2 on the F.C. New York goalkeeping depth chart behind Derby Carillo. But the former St. John’s standout suffered an injury April 23 and Diaz came off the bench to help secure a scoreless draw against Charlotte.
“Like always when you’re coming from the bench or second or third keeper, you’ve just got to work your [butt] off to get into the first team,” Diaz said. “Whenever I have the chance, I always say that’s it, I’m going to take it and stay with it.”
That was certainly true against Richmond. All four of his saves were of the game-changing variety, including point-blank stops to rob Matthew Delicate twice in a four-minute span late in the match.
“I was lucky, being in the right position at the right time,” Diaz said. “What comes to my head is winning. I don’t ever like to lose. I was trying to help the team stay in the game.”
It was a Man-of-the-Match performance that drew praise from Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw.
“The goalkeeper was in the right spot,” he said. “Sometimes a little fortunate, but he was there. He did a great job and deserves all the credit tonight.”
In four matches, Diaz has a team-best 0.78 goals against average, giving up three goals in 343 minutes for the first-year professional club. The 25-year-old, who was a NJCAA first team All-American after leading Briarcliff to the 2008 USCAA title, said he is enjoying his time with F.C. New York and would love to return for a second campaign.
“If they give me another opportunity next year to stay here, I would look at it and probably I would stay because it is close to home,” Diaz said. “But any young player wants to go to Europe or move up the ladder to MLS.”
Diaz will have another big opportunity when F.C. New York heads to Red Bull Arena Tuesday night to meet the Red Bulls in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round match.
If history is any indication, Diaz will again shine in the spotlight.
“I’ve been over there at Red Bull Arena as a fan and its beautiful, but now I’m going to be playing on the field,” Diaz said. “It’s going to be an amazing experience for me. I hope the team does good and gets a good result.”