Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 39. Santiago Moreno

Link to Rankings Hub

Santiago Moreno has been involved in transfer drama throughout his time in Portland, but he has remained with the club, playing at a high level. Moreno reportedly was not on the same page with the management, which is something that has become a trend in Portland with the likes of Aljaz Ivacic and now Evander in the current day. Moreno has now survived 3.5 seasons in Oregon despite the rumors and 2024 was easily his best one yet. The Timbers boasted one of the most productive and exciting attacks in MLS, yet barely scraped into the playoffs and went out in the most embarrassing fashions. Moreno provided a real spark down the wing for the ninth-placed Western Conference side.

Moreno got things going early on, pushing home a calm finish at the back post in the second match of the season. In a matchup with the defending champions and a rematch of MLS Cup 2015, Moreno struck again. He had a lovely run in July, which began with a two-assist game against Nashville SC. In the following match, he starred with a volley against Real Salt Lake. In Leagues Cup, Moreno was there to run all the way in behind on his own accord and put the finishing touch on a 4-0 beatdown of Colorado Rapids.

The season came to a close with a whopping 14 assists for the young Colombian. He added six goals as well. The speedy winger recovered 5.57 balls per 90 and connected at a 71.4% clip on long balls. His real danger came in 1v1 situations down the wing, he completed 2.21 successful dribbles a game. He created the exact same number of chances each 90 minutes as well. He stepped into a real creator role in 2024 via the methods of both cutting in and getting down to the endline. Moreno brings the dynamic aspect of the game that Portland very much needs with more stationary players off the ball like Evander in the midfield. Moreno has now amassed 123 appearances in Portland and the trade request seems to have been rescinded, so he will look to thrive there once again in 2025. Moreno comes in at No. 39.

39) SANTIAGO MORENO | MID, POR | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

14 ASSISTS

5.57 RECOVERIES PER 90 (93%)

71.4% LONG BALL ACCURACY (88%)

2.21 SUCCESSFUL DRIBBLES PER 90 (85%)