Moreira discusses Columbus Crew's latest win, why he is thriving in MLS

Photo Credit: Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew and Cape Verde national team defender Steven Moreira was in the spotlight on Sunday as his well-taken equalizer inspired the Crew to a 2-1 comeback victory at St. Louis City in their Major League Soccer fixture.

Moreira, the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, leveled the match just before halftime to set the stage for a dominant second half that saw the Crew surge to victory. After the match, the 30-year-old spoke with MLS about the match and his role with the team.

A versatile defender who can play in the center or on the right flank, Moreira is thriving in a fluid system under acclaimed head coach Wilfried Nancy. Operating in a variety of roles including three-defender and four-defender systems under the tactically flexible French coach, Moreira explained to French outlet Onze Mondial why he enjoys the freedom he has when playing for the Crew:

"I'm not going to be pretentious, but (our style of play) is similar to Brighton with De Zerbi. That is to say, we have possession all the time. We're always looking to attack."

"I no longer play in my (previous) position which was right-back. I play defender in a three-man defense and I have incredible freedom. I often find myself in front of goal. It's all about attack. With the coach we have, who is French, it's really all about attack, scoring as many goals as possible. Of course, we take risks so we're going to concede. But the objective is to score as many goals as possible."

Under coach Nancy, Moreira's technical ability and combination of quickness and physical strength allows the French native to contribute in both defense and attack under Columbus' progressive and modern system. In Nancy's first year with Columbus, the Crew won the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs and continue to consistently be at the top of the table in the Eastern Conference.

The Crew are off to a great start early in the 2025 campaign, sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference with the second most points behind Western Conference side Vancouver Whitecaps. Moreira, with Columbus since arriving midway through 2021, continues to enjoy life in the United States and explained the differences between MLS and France's Ligue 1 where had previously spent his career:

"The level surprised me! When I arrived, I thought it would be easy, but I was surprised by the intensity. There's more intensity than in Ligue 1."

"Tactically, it's nothing like it. The matches are more open. There's no low block. That's the difference. Teams play to win, whether it's away or at home unlike what we see in Europe. Here, everything is for the win. In terms of intensity, it could be closer to England because it goes in all directions. Above all, the level increases every year."

Moreira and his team will now prepare for their biggest match so far this season when they host an Inter Miami team led by Lionel Messi on Saturday. The Cape Verde international is set to play a big role and will embrace the matchup against Messi: "I can't wait to face him...Messi doesn't have an MLS (title)) but I do!"