MLS: Top 5 full-backs in the league right now
By Matt Coles
2. Jorge Moreira
Coming in at No.2 on our list is the second Portland player to make our top five, along with being the second member of our list who has only played in the league for a single season, Jorge Moreira.
The 30-year-old made his way to MLS following a ten-year professional career in South America, which started in 2009 at 2 de Mayo. He then spent six years with Paraguayan team Libertad, winning five league titles, before moving to River Plate in 2016, his parent club.
MLS Career & Honours:
- Portland Timbers (2019-)
Moreira joined Portland Timbers on loan from the Argentinian giants before the start of the 2019 campaign, and he immediately showed his worth, featuring 26 times during the regular season, scoring twice and recording four assists.
The Paraguayan defender showed his attacking intent throughout the campaign and was excellent at getting crosses into the box. He was behind only Minnesota United’s Romain Metanire, our No.5, in average crosses into the box per match, along with being near the top of the charts on aerial duels and defensive duels won per 90 minutes, showing he is adept at both attacking and defending.
Alongside Villafana, it is safe to say that the Timbers have the best full-back tandem in the league by far, with the pair putting up high numbers across the 2019 campaign. Portland will be looking to make sure that they can keep Moreira around the franchise when his loan period from River Plate ends.