NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Former CSUN Women's Soccer standout Destinney Duron has joined the professional soccer ranks with Club América of the Liga MX Femenil. Duron, who was a four-year letterwinner with the Matadors, started her professional career on Jan. 6 in a win over FC Juårez.
Duron played 20-plus minutes for Club América in her pro debut and played in the midfield and at forward. She also was used as a throw-in specialist, a role she exclusively held with the Matadors.
"It was an amazing experience," said Duron after her first game. "It was definitely nerve-racking because I have a lot to prove. I don't have the professional background and it was a lot of pressure because it was a home game too. Overall, I was pretty pleased with my performance and I did pretty well for my first game."
Duron has spent the past month in Mexico, first undergoing tryouts before eventually landing a deal with Club América in late December. While the level of play has been an adjustment in of itself, Duron admits that there have been other factors she has needed to adjust to.
"The game is different, faster and more physical," said Duron. "One of the biggest dilemmas is the altitude here. In Mexico City, the altitude is over 7,000 feet so that's been a big obstacle to get my body prepared to play."
Originally from Santa Clarita, Calif., Duron played 57 games with the Matadors from 2014-18 where she registered 11 career points. Duron racked up nine assists in her Matadors career, mostly from the throw-in position. She posted a career-high four assists, all in Big West play, in 2017 and she matched that total a year later in her senior season. One of her most remembered assists came on a pass to Lindsay Kutscher who scored a game-tying goal with two seconds left against Hawai'i in 2018.
Duron helped the Matadors advance to the Big West Tournament twice during her collegiate career including a trip to the championship game in 2017. No stranger to adversity, Duron fought her way onto the field in 2017 after missing the entire 2016 campaign due to injury. She was also forced to the sidelines for portions of the 2014 and 2018 seasons.Â
"After going through two ACL injuries and to be able to play professionally is a big accomplishment for me and it really hits home," said Duron. "Going through the two ACLs, I couldn't play at the highest level at times but I've been able to overcome that and continue to play."
