BIOGRAPHY
João Moutinho was born January 12, 1998, in Lisbon, Portugal. He is a defender in Major League Soccer.
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.
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 (semi-finals) 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.
