João Moutinho (footballer, born 1998)


João Gervásio Bragança Moutinho is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Orlando City of Major League Soccer. Moutinho usually is employed as a left back, although has been used as a centre-back before.
Moutinho played one season of college soccer for the Akron Zips men's soccer program during the 2017 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. He appeared in all 24 matches for the Zips, and was named a first-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches.
He was the first-overall selection of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, going to expansion club Los Angeles FC. After one season, he was traded to Orlando.

Career

Youth and college

Moutinho joined the Sporting CP's Youth Academy in 2008, when he joined the U-10 squad. Moutinho remained with the squad through the U-19's. In 2017, Moutinho signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Akron Zips men's soccer program for the 2017 season.
While at Akron, Moutinho started in all 24 matches, scoring three and dishing out five assists. The season saw the Zips win the 2017 MAC Men's Soccer Tournament, and reach the College Cup of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament. At the end of the season, he earned two national distinctions, being named a first-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches, and earned the National Freshman of the Year Award by TopDrawer Soccer. Conference-wise, Moutinho earned the MAC Freshman of the Year Award, and was named to the All-MAC first team.
At the end of his freshman season, Moutinho signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, making him eligible for the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. There, Moutinho was the first overall selection of the draft, signed by expansion franchise, Los Angeles FC.

Professional career

Los Angeles FC

On 8 January 2018, Moutinho was one of six recipients of a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer. Eleven days later at the 2018 MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia, he was the first-overall selection, joining expansion team Los Angeles FC.
He made his professional debut on 5 March in LAFC's first MLS game, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win at the Seattle Sounders FC. On 7 April in a 5–0 loss at Atlanta United FC, he was sent off in added time for handling the ball in the penalty area. He scored his first professional goal on 9 June, the winner in a 4–3 victory at fellow Californians the San Jose Earthquakes, in the seventh minute of added time. The new club came third in the Western Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs 3–2 at home to Real Salt Lake.

Orlando City

On 11 December 2018 he was traded to Orlando City in exchange for Mohamed El-Monir. He made his debut for the team on March 23, starting in a 1–0 away win at New York Red Bulls and assisting the only goal by Sacha Kljestan. On 31 July 2020, Moutinho scored his first goal for the club, a 90th minute equalizer against Los Angeles FC to force a penalty shootout in the MLS is Back Tournament quarter-finals. Orlando won the ensuing shootout.

Career statistics

College

Honors

Individual

;Akron Zips