Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, McLeod spent his youth career with Coquitlam Blue Mountain. In 1976, he moved to Vancouver Columbus FC(Italia). In 1977 McLeod signed with Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League. Over eight seasons with the Rowdies, he was selected to the NASL's North American All-Star team in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, a record six times. In August 1984, he signed with the New York Cosmos of the Major Indoor Soccer League. In February 1985, the Cosmos withdrew from the league and, McLeod signed with the Dallas Sidekicks on February 25, 1985. In seven seasons, he was a three-time All-Star and the 1989-90 Defender of the Year. He retired in May 1992. In September 2003 his number eight shirt was retired by the Sidekicks.McLeod played 17 times for Canada, made his international debut at 17 in 1975 against Poland in Toronto, Ontario. A year later he was a member of the Olympic team at the Olympic Games in Montreal and had a memorable game against the Soviet Union in the Olympic Stadium. He was a member of Canada's national team in World Cup qualifying in 1976 and in 1980 and 1981.
In the fall of 1992, McLeod was hired to coach the Clearwater High School boys' soccer team.
In April 2005 McLeod was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame at the same time as his uncle Norm McLeod