Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 19. Steven Moreira

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Steven Moreira is simply a different brand of center back. He is traditionally a right back, but a shift to a three-back has slotted him into the center of defense. He is one of the best attacking center backs that the league has ever seen thanks to experience down the flank. There are central defenders who are dominant in the air, but Moreira is different, as he is a legit threat with the ball at his feet. He has the liberty from Wilfried Nancy to crawl into the attack from his defensive position. In 2024, his efforts won him MLS Defender of the Year. While he does not possess the best defensive stats, he had such a profound impact on his team as a CB. This might misconstrue what the award actually means, though Moreira is just so good at what he does.

The Cape Verdean has been linked with Fenerbahce for the right back position following his fantastic season. His backline conceded just 40 goals on the year, second-best in the Eastern Conference. He scored an absolute belter of an equalizer against Portland to earn a 2-2 draw in April. He grabbed an assist in a 3-1 road victory over CF Montreal. He scored once again in a 5-1 undoing of New England. In a different 5-1 win at LAFC, he assisted the winner to Cucho Hernandez. Moreira was also a key piece in bringing the Crew to the final of the Leagues Cup and hoisting the trophy. He assisted Cucho again in a 2-2 tie with DC United. The campaign was certainly one to remember, though Columbus will want to forget how it ended against the New York Red Bulls in the postseason.

Again, Moreira does not necessarily stand out in many defensive categories, but he just has a certain presence in every match he plays. His best stat on the defensive end is very on brand for his positioning, as he won possession in the final third 0.2 times per 90, quite a high number for a center back. He averaged just under 84 touches a game as the main source for transitioning defense to attack. He also passed at over 90% accuracy and completed 63 per 90. The 30-year-old created 0.68 chances and hit on 0.4 crosses per match as well. The upcoming season is absolutely up in the air for Columbus Crew at the moment, but it still has the pieces to excel and more may be on the way. Moreira comes in at No. 19.

19) STEVEN MOREIRA | DEF, CLB | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

MLS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

0.4 SUCCESSFUL CROSSES PER 90 (96%)

63.3 SUCCESSFUL PASSES PER 90 (92%)

0.68 CHANCES CREATED PER 90 (97%)