Nicky Hernandez

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Nicky Hernandez

| image =

| image_size =

| fullname = Dominick Gilbert Hernandez

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|21}}

| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, United States

| height = {{convert|1.79|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=Dominick Gilbert Hernandez |url=https://www.fcdallas.com/players/dominick-hernandez/ |publisher=FC Dallas |access-date=23 August 2022}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = San Antonio FC

| clubnumber = 8

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2017

| youthclubs1 = Dallas Texans

| collegeyears1 = 2017–2019

| college1 = SMU Mustangs

| collegecaps1 = 48

| collegegoals1 = 8

| years1 = 2018

| clubs1 = Texas United

| caps1 = 9

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2019

| clubs2 = Denton Diablos

| caps2 = 8

| goals2 = 4

| years3 = 2020

| clubs3 = FC Harrington

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| years4 = 2020–2021

| clubs4 = North Texas SC

| caps4 = 32

| goals4 = 6

| years5 = 2021–2022

| clubs5 = FC Dallas

| caps5 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2022

| clubs6 = → San Antonio FC (loan)

| caps6 = 23

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2023–2024

| clubs7 = New Mexico United

| caps7 = 47

| goals7 = 5

| years8 = 2025–

| clubs8 = San Antonio FC

| caps8 = 0

| goals8 = 0

| pcupdate = December 20, 2024

}}

Dominick "Nicky" Gilbert Hernandez (born September 21, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for San Antonio FC in the USL Championship.

Playing career

=Youth, college and amateur=

Hernandez was part of the USSDA academy side Dallas Texans until 2017,{{Cite web|url=http://dtxn.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=1399910&player=28072566|title=Dallas Texans|website=dtxn.ussoccerda.com}} when he went to play college soccer at Southern Methodist University. Hernandez played three seasons with the Mustangs between 2017 and 2019, making 48 appearances, scoring 8 goals and tallying 9 assists. Hernandez was named AAC All-Tournament Team in 2019 and All-SMU Tournament Team in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://smumustangs.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/nicky-hernandez/9912|title=Nicky Hernandez - Men's Soccer|website=SMU Athletics}}

While at college, Hernandez played with USL PDL side Texas United during their 2018 season, scoring 2 goals and tallying 3 assists in 9 regular season appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/24454999|title=Texas United - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Dominick Hernandez -|website=www.uslleaguetwo.com}} During his 2019 season, Hernandez played with NPSL side Denton Diablos FC.{{Cite web|url=https://dentondiablos.com/player/nicky-hernandez/|title = Nicky Hernandez|date = 20 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/schedule.php?v=3&containerID=MTAwODAwNjA=|title = National Premier Soccer League}}

Hernandez played in the United Premier Soccer League for FC Harrington during the Spring 2020 season.{{cite tweet|number=1352403134698541056|user=UPSLsoccer|title=Congratulations, Nicky! @nicky_0898, the top pick of @FCDallas in the @MLS SuperDraft, played the 2020 Spring seas… |date=21 January 2021}}

=North Texas SC=

On September 12, 2020, Hernandez left college early to sign a professional contract with North Texas SC, the USL League One affiliate of MLS side FC Dallas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2020/09/12/north-texas-sc-signs-midfielder-nicky-hernandez|title=North Texas SC Signs Midfielder Nicky Hernandez | FC Dallas}} He made his debut the same day, starting in a 2–0 win over FC Tucson.{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/09/13/united-states/usl-league-one/fc-tucson/north-texas/3300059/|title=Tucson vs. North Texas|date=13 September 2020|website=us.soccerway.com}}

On January 21, 2021, FC Dallas selected Hernandez 15th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.[https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2021/01/21/fc-dallas-selects-five-players-2021-mls-superdraft FC Dallas selects five players] fcdallas.com 21 January 2021 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124153439/https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2021/01/21/fc-dallas-selects-five-players-2021-mls-superdraft |date=24 January 2021 }}

=FC Dallas=

On March 23, 2021, Hernandez officially signed for MLS side FC Dallas.[https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2021/03/22/fc-dallas-signs-2021-mls-superdraft-no-15-overall-pick-nicky-hernandez FC Dallas signs 2021 MLS Superdraft] fcdallas.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325035435/https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2021/03/22/fc-dallas-signs-2021-mls-superdraft-no-15-overall-pick-nicky-hernandez |date=2021-03-25 }} Following the 2022 season, his contract option was declined by Dallas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcdallas.com/news/fc-dallas-announces-roster-decisions-for-2023-season|title=FC Dallas Announces Roster Decisions for 2023 Season|first=F. C.|last=Dallas|website=FC Dallas}}

=New Mexico United=

On July 25, 2023, Hernandez signed a deal with USL Championship side New Mexico United for the remainder of their 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newmexicoutd.com/news/2023/07/25/new-mexico-united-announces-nicky-hernandez-contract-extension/|title=NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES NICKY HERNANDEZ CONTRACT EXTENSION}}

=San Antonio FC=

Hernandez returned to San Antonio FC on a permanent contract on December 20, 2024.{{cite web |title=Nicky Hernandez returns for second stint with San Antonio FC |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1326749 |website=USLChampionship.com |publisher=USL Championship |access-date=20 December 2024}}