Junior Leonardo Moreno Borrero (born 20 July 1993), is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays for the Venezuela national team as a midfielder.[1]

Junior Moreno
Moreno with FC Cincinnati in 2023
Personal information
Full name Junior Leonardo Moreno Borrero
Date of birth (1993-07-20) 20 July 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth San Cristóbal, Venezuela
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Deportivo Lara 43 (1)
2015–2017 Zulia 94 (4)
2018–2021 D.C. United 98 (1)
2022–2023 FC Cincinnati 56 (6)
2024 Al-Hazem 14 (0)
2024 Houston Dynamo 2 (0)
International career
2017– Venezuela 40 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:22, 23 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:48, 22 November 2023 (UTC)

Professional career

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Zulia FC

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In June 2015, Moreno moved to Zulia FC from ACD Lara after a couple successful seasons [2] Moreno won the 2016 Copa Venezuela with Zulia. He was team captain for Zulia during his last season.[3]

D.C. United

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On 2 January 2018, Moreno signed with MLS side D.C. United.[4] Moreno debuted for United on 3 March 2018, in a 1–1 tie against Orlando City. Moreno played 20 games and contributed 2 assists for United in 2018. Statistically, Moreno is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS.[5] Moreno finished his 2019 season with 29 appearances, which he started in all of them, and provided 3 assists.

Moreno scored his first MLS goal in the 85th minute of the 3–1 win over Minnesota United on 29 September 2021.[6]

FC Cincinnati

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On 25 February 2022, FC Cincinnati signed Moreno for the 2022 MLS season with an option for 2023.[7]

Al-Hazem

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On 10 February 2024, Moreno joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Hazem on a free transfer.[8]

Houston Dynamo

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On 17 September 2024, Moreno returned to the United States, joining MLS side Houston Dynamo on a three month deal.[9] On 7 November 2024, his contract option was declined by Houston following their 2024 season.[10]

International career

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Moreno was born in Venezuela, and is of Argentine descent. Moreno made his debut for the Venezuela national football team in a friendly 1–1 draw with the United States, wherein he assisted Venezuela's goal.[11] Moreno played in the 2019 Copa América for Venezuela.

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 2 December 2023[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
ACD Lara 2012–13 Venezuelan Primera División 8 0 6 0
2013–14 6 0 1[b] 0 7 0
2014–15 29 1 29 1
Total 43 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 44 1
Zulia 2015 Venezuelan Primera División 21 1 21 1
2016 43 1 7 1 50 2
2017 30 2 2 0 6[b] 0 38 2
Total 94 4 9 1 6 0 0 0 109 5
D.C. United 2018 MLS 20 0 2 0 1[c] 0 23 0
2019 29 0 1[c] 0 30 0
2020 20 0 20 0
2021 29 1 29 1
Total 98 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 102 1
FC Cincinnati 2022 MLS 27 2 2 0 1[d] 0 2[c] 0 23 0
2023 29 4 4 0 3[d] 0 4[c] 0 30 0
Total 56 6 6 0 4 0 6 0 72 6
Career total 291 12 17 1 11 0 8 0 327 13
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Copa Venezuela and U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup

International

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As of match played 22 November 2023[13]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Venezuela 2017 5 1
2018 5 0
2019 10 0
2020 2 0
2021 12 0
2022 1 0
2023 5 0
Total 40 1

International goals

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Scores and results list Moreno's goal tally first.[12]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 June 2017 FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, United States   Ecuador 1–1 1–1 Friendly

Honours

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Zulia F.C.

FC Cincinnati

Personal life

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Moreno's father, Carlos Horacio Moreno, is an Argentine former footballer and coach, and his brothers Carlos Moreno and Marcelo Moreno are also footballers.[14] In January 2020, Moreno received his green card.

References

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  1. ^ "Junior Moreno Player Profile - ESPN FC". www.espnfc.us.
  2. ^ "El Zulia fichó a Junior Moreno".
  3. ^ "Junior's Journey to the Black-and-Red". dcunited.com. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  4. ^ Goff, Steven (2 January 2018). "D.C. United acquires Venezuelan national team midfielder". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  5. ^ Bromley, Ben (30 March 2019). "D.C. United's Junior Moreno is one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS". Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Ola Kamara adds to goal tally as D.C. tops Minnesota". ESPN. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Junior Moreno traded from DC United to FC Cincinnati for up to $425k GAM". MLS. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  8. ^ "من هو جونيور مورينو لاعب الحزم الجديد؟". arriyadiyah.com.
  9. ^ FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dynamo FC sign MLS veteran midfielder Júnior Moreno | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC.
  10. ^ FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dynamo FC announce roster decisions following the 2024 season | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC.
  11. ^ "Pulisic scores as United States draw 1-1 with Venezuela in friendly". The Guardian. Associated Press. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  12. ^ a b "J. Moreno". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  13. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Junior Moreno". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Junior Moreno "Espero que esta sea la primera de muchas copas" - Balonazos.com".
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