Santiago Moreno’s Absence from Leagues Cup Match
Santiago Moreno, a forward for the Portland Timbers, notably missed the Leagues Cup match against Club América held in Austin, Texas, a situation the club labeled as “unexcused.” In an official statement to ESPN, the Timbers indicated that they are contemplating potential disciplinary measures in consultation with Major League Soccer (MLS).
Transfer Interest from Fluminense
The 25-year-old striker has reportedly caught the attention of Fluminense, a club from Brazil’s Serie A, which submitted a transfer proposal for him. However, sources within the Timbers organization conveyed that they deem the offer insufficient relative to Moreno’s market value. Should Fluminense enhance their bid, the club may be open to reconsidering the move.
Remaining Season Challenges
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Portland has only ten regular-season games remaining as they strive to improve their fifth-place ranking in the Western Conference. Allegedly in an effort to facilitate his transfer, Moreno chose not to participate in the match on Wednesday and is believed to have returned to Colombia.
Official Statement from the Timbers
The Timbers confirmed Moreno’s absence in their statement: “Portland Timbers midfielder Santiago Moreno failed to report to tonight’s match vs. Club América. There is no deal in place for the transfer of Moreno, and the absence is considered unexcused. The club has been in contact with Major League Soccer regarding his absence.”
The news of Moreno’s absence was initially reported by GiveMeSport.
Previous Transfer Attempts
Interestingly, the situation isn’t unprecedented; according to The Oregonian, Moreno had previously sought a transfer in 2023, even missing training sessions. Afterward, he publicly denied requesting an exit and expressed regret to his teammates, highlighting a pattern of discontent with his situation at the club.
