Steven Moreira
Cape Verdean footballer (born 1994)

Steven Moreira
Moreira with the Columbus Crew in 2023
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 (age 31)
Place of birth Noisy-le-Grand, France
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
 Columbus Crew
Number 31
Youth career
2000–2005 AS Champs-sur-Marne[2]
2005–2009 US Torcy[3]
2009–2013 Rennes[4]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2016 Rennes B 24 (0)
2013–2016 Rennes 58 (0)
2016–2018 Lorient 63 (1)
2018–2021 Toulouse 58 (1)
2018 Toulouse B 3 (0)
2021– Columbus Crew 130 (4)
International career‡
2009 France U16 1 (0)
2013 France U19 7 (0)
2014 France U20 2 (0)
2015 France U21 4 (0)
2023– Cape Verde 17 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:10, 26 October 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November 2025

Steven Moreira (born 13 August 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back or centre-back for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer. Born in France, he plays for the Cape Verde national team.

Club career

Rennes

Moreira playing for Rennes B in 2016

Moreira first began with AS Champs-sur-Marne in 2000, staying there for five years until he joined US Torcy in 2005.[5] He later joined the Rennes youth academy in 2009, and secured a professional contract with the Breton side in 2013. While at Rennes, he played both full-back positions and on the wing at times,[6][7] making his debut for the club on 11 May 2013 in a Ligue 1 clash.[8][9] In the 2013–14 season, he appeared sparingly to start the year, playing in three of the first four games to start the new campaign, before being benched and not appearing for over three months.[10] He appeared in the Coupe de France final, losing to Guingamp 2–0 in a Derby Breton.[11] He scored his first goal for Rennes on 19 January 2016 in a Coupe de France match, netting his team's only goal in a 3–1 loss to Bourg-en-Bresse.[12][13]

FC Lorient

Moreria joined FC Lorient on 30 August 2016 for a reported €1.2 million, signing a four-year deal.[14] After his first season in Lorient, his side were relegated to Ligue 2. During the following season, he scored a goal against RC Lens in the second round of the Coupe de la Ligue in August 2017,[15] and on 29 January 2018 scored the only goal in a victory versus eventual Ligue 2 champions Reims.[16] He moved to central defense in a game against Nancy late in the season, remaining at that position for two months, before returning to right-back. Manager Mickaël Landreau later explained the decision was designed “to establish his leadership,” believing the role allowed those qualities to come through more clearly.[17][18]

Toulouse

After two years in at Lorient, Moreira was transferred to Ligue 1 side Toulouse on 10 August 2018 and agreed to terms on a three-year deal.[19][20] His first year with Toulouse was forgettable, as he appeared in just 14 matches across all competitions, with his only win coming in the Coupe de France match against Nice. During the 2019–20 season, he incurred a three-match suspension following a red card received during a match against Marseille on 24 November 2019.[21][22] On 15 February 2020, he was shown a red card for a foul on Adam Ounas, resulting in another three-match suspension.[23] At the conclusion of the season, his side were relegated to Ligue 2. After missing the first four games of the 2020–21 season due to COVID-19, He would score his only goal for the club on 26 September 2020, coming on as a second-half substitute and contributing to a 3–1 victory at home for Les Violets.[24][25] On 20 March 2021, Moreira received a red card in a 1–0 defeat against Niort, serving a three-match suspension as a result.[26][27]

Columbus Crew

In August 2021, Moreira signed with Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer on a free transfer until the end of the 2021 season, with team options to extend his contract until the end of the 2023 season.[11][28] He would go on to appear in eight total matches in his first season, including making his team debut in the Campeones Cup victory versus Cruz Azul.[29] On 27 August 2022, Moreira scored his first goal for the Crew, a right-footed volley in the 96th minute to tie Hell is Real rivals FC Cincinnati 2–2.[30] During the 2023 season, Moreira became a key contributor at centre-back for a Columbus side that won MLS Cup 3–1 against Los Angeles FC. Described as having a "unique role",[31] he was given the freedom to carry the ball high into the midfield or make line-splitting passes.[32] After the final, it was announced that he extended his contract until 2025, with an option for 2026.[28][33]

Moreira's 2024 season began with regular appearances in the starting eleven, including starting all matches and playing every minute in the CONCACAF Champions Cup through the final, where Columbus were beaten 3–0 by Pachuca at Estadio Hidalgo.[34] He scored his first goal of the season with a 30-yard shot in a 2–2 home draw to the Portland Timbers on 20 April.[35] Moreira made his 100th appearance across all competitions for the club on 15 May.[36] During the Leagues Cup, Moreira once again started every match and played every minute for Columbus, as they went on to win the tournament, defeating Los Angeles FC in the final.[37] An ankle injury would keep Moreira out of the final three games of the regular season,[38] as Columbus finished with a club-record 66 points but were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the New York Red Bulls.[39][40] Moreira ended the season with 42 appearances across all competitions, and was named Major League Soccer Defender of the Year and on the Best XI.[41]


International career

Born in France, Moreira is of Cape Verdean descent, and is a former France youth international. He played at the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 European Championship, finishing as the runner-up.[11] He was called up to the Cape Verde national team for a set of friendlies in October 2023.[42] He debuted with Cape Verde in a 5–1 loss to Algeria on 12 October 2023.[43] Moreira was part of the Cape Verde team that made the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[44]

Style of play

Moreira has mainly been deployed as an attacking right-back in his career, and has been noted for his intelligence, crossing ability and calmness under pressure.[45] Since 2023, he has shifted to a right-sided centre-back in a back three. Speaking about the change, Moreira said: "I no longer play in my position, which was right-back. I play as a defender in a three-man defense and I have incredible freedom. I find myself almost often in front of goal."[28]

Personal life

Moreira is Muslim and fasts during the month of Ramadan.[46]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rennes B 2010-11 CFA 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2012-13 CFA 2 15 0 — — — — 15 0
2013-14 CFA 2 3 0 — — — — 3 0
2014-15 CFA 2 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2015-16 CFA 2 4 0 — — — — 4 0
Total 24 0 — — — — 24 0
Rennes 2012-13 Ligue 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 — — 3 0
2013-14 Ligue 1 15 0 4 0 2 0 — — 21 0
2014-15 Ligue 1 23 0 3 0 3 0 — — 29 0
2015-16 Ligue 1 16 0 1 0 2 0 — — 19 0
2016-17 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Total 58 0 8 0 7 0 — — 73 0
Lorient 2016-17 Ligue 1 28 0 2 0 1 0 — 2[c] 0 33 0
2017-18 Ligue 2 35 1 3 0 3 1 — — 41 2
Total 63 1 5 0 4 1 — 2 0 74 2
Toulouse B 2018-19 Championnat National 3 3 0 — — — — 3 0
Toulouse 2018-19 Ligue 1 10 0 3 0 1 0 — — 14 0
2019-20 Ligue 1 17 0 1 0 2 0 — — 20 0
2020-21 Ligue 2 31 1 2 0 — — 1[c] 0 34 1
Total 58 1 6 0 3 0 — 1 0 68 1
Columbus Crew 2021 MLS 7 0 — — 1[d] 0 — 8 0
2022 MLS 32 1 0 0 — — — 32 1
2023 MLS 34 0 1 0 — 2[e] 1 6[f] 0 43 1
2024 MLS 27 2 0 0 — 13[g] 0 2[f] 0 42 2
2025 MLS 9 1 0 0 — 2[h] 0 — 11 1
Total 109 4 1 0 — 18 1 8 0 136 5
Career total 315 6 20 0 14 1 18 1 11 0 378 8
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Ligue 1 Relegation play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in Campeones Cup
  5. ^ Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup
  6. ^ a b Appearance(s) in MLS Cup playoffs
  7. ^ Seven appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup, five appearances in Leagues Cup, one appearance in Campeones Cup
  8. ^ Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions Cup


International

As of match played 19 November 2024[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Cape Verde 2023 1 0
2024 12 0
Total 13 0

Honours

Columbus Crew

Individual

References

  1. ^ "'He's a versatile player': How Columbus Crew's Steven Moreira adapted to a position change". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Steven Moreira". aschampsfootball.com. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. ^ "C'EST LE MOMENT DE JOUER CHEZ LES GRANDS". Torcy foot. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Première pour S. Moreira". Stade Rennais. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  5. ^ Rédaction Meaux (17 May 2021). "Ligue 2. Passé par Champs-sur-Marne et Torcy, Steven Moreira (Toulouse FC) disputera les barrages" (in French). Actu. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Finale de la Coupe de France Toulouse - Nantes : "J'aurais été content d'avoir Philippe Montanier au TFC", les confidences de l'ancien Violet Steven Moreira". ladepeche.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Bastia - Rennes Steven Moreira, homme d'extérieur ?". Le Télégramme (in French). 13 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  8. ^ "Valenciennes 4 - 1 Rennes (Ligue 1 12/13)". rougememoire.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Valenciennes 4-1 Rennes (May 11, 2013) Lineups". ESPN. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  10. ^ "2013-2014 Steven Moreira Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "Columbus Crew signs French defender Steven Moreira | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  12. ^ "Football. Coupe de France : l'exploit de Bourg-en-Bresse". www.leprogres.fr (in French). 19 January 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Rennes. Steven Moreira signe pro". Le Télégramme (in French). 4 December 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  14. ^
    • "Transfert : Steven Moreira à Lorient/722690". L'Equipe (in French). 30 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
    • Lavaud, Thomas (27 May 2017). "Barrages Ligue 1 - Ligue 2 | Le FC Lorient sans défense". ici, par France Bleu et France 3 (in French). Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Lorient vs. Lens Match Report – Tuesday August 22, 2017". FB Ref. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Steven MOREIRA". FC Lorient (in French). 26 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Steven Moreira a passé le test avec succès". Ouest-France.fr (in French). 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 20 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  18. ^ "FC Lorient. Moreira revient épauler les Merlus". Ouest-France.fr (in French). 5 April 2018. Archived from the original on 20 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  19. ^ "Journal du Mercato : ça s'agite dans tous les sens au Real Madrid !". Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot Transfert (in French). 10 August 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Mercato : Steven Moreira signe au Toulouse Football Club, un contrat proposé à Stéphane Mbia | Actu Toulouse (in French)". 29 October 2022. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Commission de discipline : les décisions du 27 novembre 2019 - LFP.fr". lfp.fr. 2 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Toulouse v Marseille | 24 novembre 2019 | Goal.com Français". www.goal.com (in French). 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  23. ^
    • "Toulouse 0-2 Nice (Feb 15, 2020) Final Score". ESPN. 15 February 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
    • Berthaud, Alexandre (19 February 2020). "Le TFC privé de son latéral droit pendant trois matchs". ici, par France Bleu et France 3 (in French). Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
    • "Deux suspendus à Toulouse". Ligue1 (in French). 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Enfin!". ToulouseFC (in French). 26 September 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Ligue 2. Steven Moreira, joueur du Toulouse FC : "Une osmose s'est créée au sein du groupe"". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  26. ^ "Feuille de match". Ligue2 (in French). 20 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Steven Moreira, suspension terminée". www.lesviolets.com (in French). 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  28. ^ a b c Chirat, Antoine (3 January 2024). "EXCLU - Steven Moreira : « Messi n'a pas de MLS, mais moi oui ! »". Onze Mondial (in French). Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  29. ^ Myers, Jacob (29 September 2021). "Columbus Crew wins Campeones Cup, shuts out Liga MX's Cruz Azul". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Columbus Crew tie at FC Cincinnati on late Moreira goal". 29 October 2022. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  31. ^ Boehm, Charles (12 July 2024). "Bouanga & Moreira: The friendship behind LAFC vs. Columbus Crew". mlssoccer. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  32. ^ Lowery, Joseph (19 February 2024). "One MLS star to follow at each position in 2024". mlssoccer. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Rudy Camacho et Steven Moreira prolongent au Columbus Crew en MLS" (in French). L'Equipe. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  34. ^ "Pachuca defeats Columbus Crew for sixth Concacaf Champions Cup". Concacaf. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  35. ^ "Cucho, Moreira score goals to help Crew play Timbers to tie". TSN. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  36. ^ "Steven Moreira Stats | Soccerway". www.soccerway.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  37. ^ "CLBvsLAFC 08-25-2024 | Match Recap". leaguescup. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  38. ^ Mac Kay, Brianna. "Columbus Crew could have to go without a backup goalkeeper after 5 international call-ups". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  39. ^ "By The Numbers | Crew host Revs in home finale | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  40. ^ "New York Red Bulls defy odds to deny Columbus Crew repeat: "The season is not over" | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  41. ^
    • "Columbus Crew's Steven Moreira named 2024 MLS Defender of the Year | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
    • "2024 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". mlssoccer. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
    • "Columbus Crew: What we learned in 2024 & what comes next | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  42. ^ "Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira called up to represent Cape Verde Islands". The Columbus Dispatch.
  43. ^ "Futebol: Cabo Verde goleado pela Argélia no dia em que conhece adversários do CAN'2023 – INFORPRESS". INFORPRESS – Agência Cabo-Verdiana de Notícias (in Portuguese). 12 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Profile of Cape Verde Islands team for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations". Reuters.com. 7 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  45. ^
    • "Steven MOREIRA - FC Lorient". FC Lorient (in French). Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
    • "Nouvelle génération, nouveaux visages". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
    • Johnson, Bailey. "Columbus Crew's Steven Moreira challenged by coach Wilfried Nancy to learn new position". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
    • "Steven Moreira, l'ambitieux latéral qui doit se faire une place". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  46. ^ Boehm, Charles (7 April 2023). "Respecting Ramadan in MLS: "Spiritually it gives you strength to keep going" | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  47. ^ "Steven Moreira". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  48. ^ "Columbus Crew's Steven Moreira named 2024 MLS Defender of the Year". Major League Soccer. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  49. ^ "2024 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  • Steven Moreira at the French Football Federation (in French)
  • Steven Moreira at Soccerway
  • Eurosport profile
  • Steven Moreira at FBref.com
  • Steven Moreira at National-Football-Teams.com
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