Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 50. Felipe Mora

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Felipe Mora was one of the many Portland Timbers attackers firing on all cylinders in 2024. Portland was among the top scoring teams in Major League Soccer. The club's DP No. 9 had his most productive MLS season of his five-year career in the league since arriving from Pumas. Mora finished with 14 goals on 13.4 xG, overperforming expectations in his 30 appearances. He was clinical in front of goal and may not be the flashiest player on the squad, but he did his job exceptionally well.

Mora got his season underway with a flying four straight games with a goal. The Chilean showed his ability to make runs with an account-opening header at the back post, assisted by Evander. He proceeded to score in three straight draws, including an early tally against LAFC off another ridiculous Evander pass. Mora opened the scoring in a win over Sporting Kansas City thanks to yet another Evander assist, though Mora later returned the favor to give his star player the match-winner. In a wild 4-4 draw with St. Louis in August, Mora registered a Gordie Howe hat trick of sorts. He first assisted Jonathan Rodriguez, then followed it up with a seven-minute brace and a red card prior to Evander's late equalizer.

The Timbers found so much success going forward with their trio of Mora, Evander and Rodriguez. They consistently found each other in great scoring positions. The issue is that the defense was among the very worst of any playoff team in the league. Portland ranked second in the Western Conference in goals for, yet barely squeaked into the play-in game. They ended up hosting the match against Vancouver when it was supposed to be a road match and saw the season end in a 5-0 loss on home turf. The conclusion should not take away from the season that Mora had. He was dispossessed just 0.59 times per 90, a great number for a striker and won over half of his duels. He was one of the most consistent non-penalty goal scorers in MLS. Mora comes in at No. 50.

50) FELIPE MORA | FWD, POR | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

14 GOALS

0.59 TIMES DISPOSSESSED PER 90 (93%)

51.6% DUELS WON (97%)

0.57 NON-PENALTY xG PER 90 (88%)