Diego Kochen
Diego Kochen is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Segunda Federación team Barcelona Atlètic.
Club career
Born in Miami, Florida, to a Peruvian mother and Venezuelan father, Kochen started his career with the youth academy of Weston FC, initially starting his career as an outfield player, before switching to goalkeeper at the age of eight to cover for an ill teammate. He also played for West Pines United in Florida and, after his parents moved to Spain in 2018 for work-related reasons, he played for the Marcet Football University and their affiliate team TecnoFutbol CF.Having progressed through Barcelona's La Masia academy, being at the club since 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the club in March 2022. On October 11, 2023, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide. Kochen was included in the senior squad for a friendly against Club América on December 22, 2023. He replaced Ander Astralaga in the 62nd minute.
On February 2, 2024, Barcelona reached an agreement with Kochen for a new contract until 2028. The deal was signed on March 19, his 18th birthday. He was officially promoted to Barcelona Atlètic for the remainder of the 2023–24 season, where he was assigned the number 24. He made his Barça Atlètic debut the following April 14 against Unionistas in a 4–1 away loss.
International career
Kochen has represented the United States at youth international level. He remains eligible to represent Peru or Venezuela. In January 2022, Diego received his first US YNT call-up for a training camp at IMG in Brandenton. On March 15, 2022, Kochen debuted for the United States under-17, going on to captain the team on occasion and receive a nomination for 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year. He then made his debut for the United States under-19 on March 24, 2024, against England under-19, which resulted in a 3–2 win for the United States. He received his first call up to the senior United States men's national soccer team for the September 2024 international window.In September 2025, Kochen was called up by the United States under-20s for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, but had to withdraw after being recalled by Barcelona following an injury sustained to first-choice goalkeeper Joan García.