Felipe Andrade, a 22-year-old defender who, on paper, looks like he could shine, is about to say goodbye to Fluminense and take his shot with Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Now, Felipe isn’t some rookie who just got off the plane. He made his way up to the first team in 2023 after turning heads at the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, a tournament that’s basically the Super Bowl for young Brazilian talent. And the guy didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. He played as a starter in a few matches, helped the team win the Libertadores, and it looked like he was off to a solid start in what could be a great career.
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Fast forward to 2024, and he had another shot to prove himself when the main squad was on break. Guess what? He nailed it! Played as a holding midfielder, got praised for his effort, showed real grit. But when the stars of the team returned, Felipe found himself back on the bench... or better yet, not even on the bench. He was completely overlooked, not even making the squad for a lot of games.
Now it’s 2025, and he started the first two matches of the year, playing in different roles. But once Fluminense faced Maricá, he vanished from the list of players to be called up.
Enter Houston Dynamo. The MLS has exploded in popularity over the past few years, attracting big names and earning more and more attention on the global stage. For Felipe, this might be the perfect chance to catch his breath, escape the crazy pressure that young Brazilian players face, and maybe even reinvent himself. The MLS is known for giving players a platform to show their skills without the heavy weight of constant criticism that comes with playing in South American football.
But here’s the big question: is he really ready for the leap? We all know that moving from a massive club like Fluminense, no matter how little playtime you’re getting, to a growing market that’s still a far cry from the European glamour, could backfire if things don’t go as planned. Let’s not forget, Houston Dynamo isn’t picking up a seasoned star. They’re gambling on potential, and as we all know, gambles are risky business.
So, is Felipe Andrade just another casualty of a system that tosses players aside like used cups? Or did he fail to take the chances he was given? In my view, Felipe didn’t quite turn the opportunities he had into something solid. Sure, he’s versatile, but he never really stood out in any position enough to become indispensable.