John Diffley
Director of Coaching

Email: jdiffley@liroughriders.com
Work: 516.622.3900 x13

BIO: John Diffley was named as the Director of Coaching for the Long Island Rough Riders on October 15, 2008.

No stranger to the Long Island Rough Riders, Diffley played and starred for the 1995 national championship team. Along with his success with the Rough Riders, Diffley captained three different professional teams and made 22 appearances for the U.S. National Team including 8 full international caps. He played Major League Soccer for Tampa Bay and Kansas City and also played professionally in Holland. In addition, Diffley was an alternate member of the United States Olympic Team in 1998. 

Diffley grew up in New City, New York and was a High School All-American at Albertus Magnus HS. He went on to play collegiate soccer at a American University in Washington, D.C., where he received national recognition, played in the NCAA championship final, and won American University Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor in 1988. For his accomplishments on the field, Diffley was inducted into the American University Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also inducted into the Albertus Magnus HS Hall of Fame in 1999. 

Diffley's professional soccer career was followed by a successful coaching tenure. From 1997-2001, Diffley was a member of Dr. David Masur's nationally recognized men's soccer program. After the 1996 national championship, Diffley became the first full-time assistant in program history. He assisted the program in all aspects including player development, game preparation, physical conditioning and recruiting. In that span, the Red Storm won 2 Big East Championships, appeared in 4 straight NCAA tournaments and was nationally ranked every season. Furthermore, Diffley has coaching experience as Head Coach of Dominican College, Harrison High School, Coaching Director Azalea Soccer Club, Tampa, Florida, Regional US Soccer assessor, Player Assistant Coach New York Freedoms PDL, Player Coach New York Pancyprians, Youth Coach New York Arrows, national champions in 2002.