Feather River College Athletics announces that sophomore Diego Martin Garcia, of Valladolid, Spain, has become the first FRC men’s soccer student-athlete in program history to earn both all-American and scholar all-American honors.
Garcia was named first team all-American, scholar all-American and Golden Valley Conference offensive player of the year after an outstanding sophomore season. He finished No. 1 in the state in assists with 21 while also scoring 12 goals in 20 matches, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic attacking players in California community college soccer.
Over two seasons at FRC, Garcia totaled 23 goals and 34 assists in 43 career matches. He concludes his Golden Eagles career ranked third all-time in program history in assists, as well as third for single-season assists.
Garcia arrived at FRC in fall 2024 having never visited Quincy, the campus or even the United States. “I had never visited, and had no idea what I was getting into, but I trusted the coaches,” Garcia said.
That leap of faith quickly turned into success on and off the field. Reflecting on his experience at FRC, Garcia emphasized the environment that allowed him to thrive. “No distractions,” Garcia said. “I had a lot of distractions in Spain, but I feel I was able to focus on school and soccer here at FRC.”
When asked about his time with the Golden Eagles, Garcia credited the program’s culture for his growth. “Teammates and coaches — I feel we were playing for each other,” Garcia said. “I needed that support, and I believe that our family culture contributed to our success. We set high program standards and trained for success.”
Garcia’s impact extended beyond individual accolades, helping lead FRC to back-to-back Golden Valley Conference championships during his two seasons.
Head coach Conrad Gooley praised Garcia’s development and influence on the program: “Diego has been exceptional for us at Feather River College, both as a player and as a person,” the coach said. “From the moment he committed, he arrived with clear ambitions and a professional approach to the game, and he has gone on to achieve far more than he initially set out to do. His ability to find pockets of space and deliver a decisive final ball truly sets him apart. I’m excited to see him continue to grow and succeed at the next level.”
FRC Athletic Director Thomas Armstrong echoed that sentiment. “I loved watching Diego play soccer,” Armstrong said. “He is a very high-IQ player with a great feel and understanding of the game. I’m excited to see where he lands this fall, and I hope to see many more games.”
Garcia is currently undecided on where he will continue his collegiate career this fall but has committed to remaining in the United States. “I plan to stay in the U.S. for the next two years, take the next step — and then after that, I have no idea,” Garcia said. “I will see where it leads me.”
Longtime Golden Eagles athletic trainer Juan Nunez described Garcia as “a smooth player who can change a game with one strike.”
As Garcia reflects on his FRC career, two matches stand out most: a road victory at Lake Tahoe during his freshman season, which he called his best individual performance, and a road win at Merced College where he recorded both a goal and an assist.
Garcia expressed gratitude for his time in Quincy, the relationships he built and the opportunity to grow both as a student-athlete and as a person away from home.
