Ricardo Moreira serves as the General Manager & Sporting Director for Orlando City SC.
Moreira joined the Club in October 2018 from Columbus Crew SC, where he served as the head of player recruitment. Since arriving in Orlando, Moreira has spearheaded the efforts in identifying and recruiting notable newcomers for Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer, including Peruvian National Team goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, center back duo Robin Jansson and Antonio Carlos, midfielder Júnior Urso and forward Facundo Torres, while drafting former Lions forward Daryl Dike.
Moreira played a key role in helping Orlando City capture the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship, the first major trophy in Club’s MLS era. He has also been instrumental in establishing one of the premier player development academies in the country, creating a pathway for top young talents such as Alex Freeman, Justin Ellis and others to advance through the Club’s system. Moreira has overseen several landmark roster moves during his tenure, including the signing of 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and global soccer icon Antoine Griezmann. In addition to his professional experience, he holds a FIFA Diploma in Club Management and completed Harvard Business School’s The Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports executive education program.
Prior to his time in Orlando, Moreira spent four seasons in Columbus, beginning in 2015 as the Crew’s international relations manager. He was promoted to head of player recruitment the following year, the role he held prior to joining the Lions’ staff. During his time in Columbus, Ricardo helped the Crew reach the MLS Cup Final in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017.
Moreira is a law graduate from the Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in São Paulo and holds an MBA in sports management from the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro. Prior to joining the Columbus Crew, he also served as the Sporting Director for Brazil’s Grêmio Osasco Audax Esporte Clube.
