Eduard Atuesta

Eduard Atuesta
Atuesta playing for Palmeiras in 2022
Personal information
Full name Eduard Andrés Atuesta Velasco
Date of birth (1997-06-18) 18 June 1997
Place of birth Vélez, Santander, Colombia
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
 Orlando City
Number 20
Youth career
Independiente Medellín
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Independiente Medellín 29 (0)
2018 → Los Angeles FC (loan) 25 (1)
2019–2021 Los Angeles FC 73 (6)
2022–2025 Palmeiras 50 (2)
2024 → Los Angeles FC (loan) 28 (4)
2025– Orlando City 28 (0)
International career‡
2017 Colombia U20 7 (0)
2020 Colombia U23 6 (1)
2022 Colombia 2 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 October 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19 November 2022

Eduard Andrés Atuesta Velasco (born 18 June 1997) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Orlando City.

Club career

Independiente Medellín

Atuesta made his senior debut in the Copa Colombia when he started in a 5–1 victory over Envigado FC on 13 April 2016.[2] Later that season, Atuesta made his league debut in the Torneo Finalización when he came on as a 55th-minute substitute for Juan David Cabezas in a 1–1 draw with Jaguares de Córdoba on 18 September.[3] Three days later, Atuesta made his international debut in the Copa Sudamericana when he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute for John Édison Hernández in a 2–0 victory over Brazilian club Santa Cruz.[4]

In the 2017 season, Atuesta became a regular starter for the club as Independiente Medellín were defending Torneo Apertura champions for the first time since 2004.[5][6] Independiente Medellín made it to the final of the 2017 Copa Colombia, allowing Atuesta his first chance to win a trophy as part of the squad, but the club would lose 3–1 to Atlético Junior on aggregate.[7]

In the 2018 season, Atuesta made just one appearance for the club, a 3–0 victory over Atlético Huila on 3 February.[6][8]

Loan to Los Angeles FC

Atuesta signed with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC for their debut 2018 season on a season-long loan deal on 27 February 2018.[9][10] Atuesta made his first appearance with LAFC in the inaugural El Tráfico derby on 31 March, when he was subbed in during a 4–3 away loss to the LA Galaxy.[11] Atuesta scored his first goal for the club, the opening goal of a 2–0 win against Minnesota United on 9 May.[12]

Los Angeles FC

On 13 December 2018, Los Angeles FC announced that they had signed Atuesta permanently on a three-year deal.[10] On 21 April 2019, Atuesta scored his first goal as a permanent signing for the club, the second goal of a 4–1 win over the Seattle Sounders.[13] Los Angeles FC qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs for the second season in a row, and the club secured their first Supporters' Shield, their first major trophy in club history.[14] On 24 October Atuesta made his playoffs debut in a El Tráfico semi-finals derby against LA Galaxy, which LAFC won 4–2.[15] LAFC saw their MLS Cup playoffs campaign end in a 1–3 defeat to the Seattle Sounders on 29 October, which saw Atuesta score the opening goal and mark his first playoffs goal of his career.[16]

On 27 February 2020, Atuesta made his international debut with LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions League in a 3–0 victory over Club León which saw LAFC come back to win 3–2 on aggregate.[17] In the semi-finals of the competition against Club América on 19 December, Atuesta received a red card in the 45th-minute as LAFC were up 1–0, but despite this LAFC went on to win the game 3–1 with the help of two goals from Carlos Vela in under two minutes.[18] Atuesta's red card meant he would miss the final, which LAFC lost 2–1 to Tigres UANL.[19]

On 4 August 2021, Atuesta was selected by Bob Bradley to the MLS All-Stars for a friendly match against the Liga MX All-Stars alongside teammates Diego Rossi and Jesús David Murillo.[20] The game ended 1–1, with Murillo scoring an equalizing goal to see the game go to a penalty shoot-out, and in the subsequent penalty shoot-out Atuesta saw his attempt saved by Guillermo Ochoa, but the MLS All-Stars would win the shoot-out 3–2.[21][22]

Palmeiras

On 13 December 2021, Atuesta was sold to Palmeiras, where he signed a four-year contract.[23] On 29 January 2022, Atuesta made his debut for the club in the Campeonato Paulista in a 1–1 draw with São Bernardo.[24] Due to fixture congestion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Atuesta was able to play for Palmeiras in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup which was played in February 2022.[25] Atuesta made his international debut for the club in the competition on 8 February in a 2–0 victory over Al Ahly when he came on as a 86th-minute substitute for Zé Rafael.[26] On 7 August, Atuesta scored his first goal for the club, the third of a 3–0 win against Goiás in Série A.[27]

In the following 2023 season, Atuesta saw his playing time fall dramatically and he only made seven appearances across all competitions.[6] In the 2024 season, Atuesta made just one appearance, an 81st-minute substitute appearance for Raphael Veiga in a 1–1 draw with Novorizontino in the Campeonato Paulista before departing.[28]

Return to Los Angeles FC (loan)

On 8 February 2024, Atuesta was loaned back to Los Angeles FC for the 2024 season on a one-year loan with an option to buy.[29] On 24 February, Atuesta marked his return to the club in a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Sounders.[30] On 23 March, Atuesta scored his first goal since returning to the club, the final goal of a 5–0 rout of Nashville SC.[31] Atuesta scored four goals and made six assists across the regular season.[32] On 27 November, Los Angeles FC announced that Atuesta's loan had expired and that they were not pursuing a purchase.[33] Following Atuesta's return to Palmeiras following the end of his loan, Atuesta made three appearances, all in the 2025 edition of the Campeonato Paulista.[6]

Orlando City

On 10 February 2025, Atuesta was signed by Major League Soccer club Orlando City on a one-year contract with a club option for 2026.[34] Atuesta made his debut when he started in the opening match of the season against Philadelphia Union which ended in a 2–4 loss.[35] On 15 March, Atuesta provided an assist and a secondary assist in a 2–2 draw with the New York Red Bulls and for this performance he was named to the Team of the Matchday.[36][37] On 25 June, Atuesta provided a hat-trick of assists in a 4–2 win at St. Louis City SC and for his performance he was named to the Team of the Matchday for a second time a day later.[38][39] After the conclusion of Atuesta's first season with Orlando City, the team exercised his contract option.[40][41]

International career

Atuesta playing against the Venezuela U20 in January 2017

Atuesta played for the Colombia under-20 national team at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship. In August 2019, he was called into the Colombia under-23 national team for friendlies against Brazil and Argentina.[42]

Personal life

Atuesta earned his U.S. green card in February 2019.[43] This status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 22 October 2025[6]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Independiente Medellín 2016 Categoría Primera A 4 0 — 6 0 1[b] 0 — 11 0
2017 24 0 — 7 0 1[b] 0 — 32 0
2018 1 0 — — — — 1 0
Total 29 0 — 13 0 2 0 — 44 0
Los Angeles FC (loan) 2018 Major League Soccer 25 1 — 3 0 — 0 0 28 1
Los Angeles FC 2019 30 3 — 3 0 — 2[c] 1 35 4
2020 19 1 — — 3[d] 0 1[c] 1 23 2
2021 24 2 — — — — 24 2
Total 98 7 — 6 0 3 0 3 2 110 9
Palmeiras 2022 Série A 26 1 13 0 2 0 7[e] 0 4[f] 0 52 1
2023 1 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
2024 — 1 0 — — — 1 0
2025 — 3 0 — — — 3 0
Total 27 1 23 1 2 0 7 0 0 0 63 2
Los Angeles FC (loan) 2024 Major League Soccer 28 4 — 3 0 — 10[g] 0 41 4
Orlando City 2025 Major League Soccer 28 0 — 0 0 — 5[h] 0 33 0
Career total 210 12 23 1 24 0 12 0 18 2 291 15
  1. ^ Includes Copa Colombia, U.S. Open Cup, and Copa do Brasil
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League
  5. ^ Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  6. ^ Two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup and two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana
  7. ^ Three appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs and seven appearances in Leagues Cup
  8. ^ Four appearances in Leagues Cup and one appearance in MLS Cup playoffs

Honours

Independiente Medellín

Los Angeles FC

Palmeiras

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Eduard Atuesta". WorldFootball.net.
  2. ^ "Envigado vs. Independiente Medellín". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  3. ^ "Independiente Medellín vs Jaguares de Córdoba". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Independiente Medellín vs Santa Cruz". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  5. ^ "Colombia – Deportivo Independiente Medellín". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Eduard Atuesta at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Summary – Copa Colombia". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Independiente Medellín vs Atlético Huila". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  9. ^ "LAFC Acquires 20-Year-Old Midfielder Eduard Atuesta". Los Angeles FC. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b "LAFC Signs Eduard Atuesta To Three-Year Deal". lafc.com. Los Angeles FC. 13 December 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Eduard Atuesta". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Atuesta, Kaye each score 1st MLS goal, LAFC tops Minnesota". Los Angeles Times. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Los Angeles vs. Seattle Sounders". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  14. ^ Bogert, Tom (26 September 2019). "LAFC win 2019 Supporters' Shield, lift first major trophy". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  15. ^ "LAFCvsLA 10-24-2019". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  16. ^ "LAFCvsSEA 10-29-2019". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Los Angeles vs. León". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  18. ^ "Concacaf Champions League Semifinal Black & Gold Endgame | LAFC 3-1 Club América 12/19/20". Los Angeles FC. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Concacaf Champions League Final Black & Gold Endgame | LAFC 1-2 Tigres 12/22/20". Los Angeles FC. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  20. ^ "2021 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  21. ^ Bogert, Tom (25 August 2021). "Recap: MLS All-Stars 1 (3), Liga MX All-Stars 1 (2)". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  22. ^ "MLSvsLMX 08-25-2021". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  23. ^ "Atuesta arrives in Brazil to take exams and sign with Palmeiras". 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  24. ^ "São Bernardo vs. Palmeiras". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  25. ^ "FIFA Council endorses global summit to discuss the future of football". FIFA. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  26. ^ "Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  27. ^ "Palmeiras vs. Goiás". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  28. ^ "Novorizontino vs. Palmeiras". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  29. ^ LAFC. "LAFC Acquire Midfielder Eduard Atuesta On Loan From Brazilian Serie A Club Palmeiras | Los Angeles Football Club". LAFC. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Los Angeles vs. Seattle Sounders". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  31. ^ "Bouanga scores twice to help LAFC end three-game scoreless streak with 5-0 win over Nashville". Associated Press. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  32. ^ "Stats". Los Angeles FC. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  33. ^ "LAFC Announces Roster Moves For 2025 Season". Los Angeles FC. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  34. ^ "Orlando City SC acquires midfielder Eduard Atuesta". Orlando City. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  35. ^ "Philadelphia 4–2 Orlando". ESPN. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  36. ^ "RBNYvsORL 03-15-2025". Major League Soccer. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  37. ^ Ruderman, Justin (17 March 2025). "Team of the Matchday: Messi, Luna make their mark in Matchday 4". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  38. ^ "Match report: Ramiro Enrique and Marco Pašalić both bag braces as Orlando City SC dominates St. Louis CITY SC in 4-2 victory". Orlando City. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  39. ^ Ruderman, Justin (26 June 2025). "Team of the Matchday: MLS All-Stars show out on Matchday 20". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  40. ^ Gramajo, Mike (17 November 2025). "Orlando City announces year-end roster". WESH. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  41. ^ "Orlando City SC announces end-of-season roster statuses following end of 2025 MLS Season". Orlando City. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  42. ^ "Convocatoria Selección Colombia Masculina Sub-23, Para Amistosos de Septiembre". fcf.com.co. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  43. ^ "LAFC Midfielder Eduard Atuesta And Forward Diego Rossi Obtain Green Cards". LAFC.com. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  44. ^ "MLS Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 163. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  45. ^ "2021 MLS All-Star Team Roster". MLSsoccer.
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