Pronunciation: Feh-LEE-pay
Position: Midfielder (#96)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180 lbs
Born: January 29, 1996
Hometown: Mineola, New York
Nationality: United States
Previous Club: San Jose Earthquakes
How Acquired: Free agent signed on January 29, 2021
Career Bio
Luis Felipe made an instant impression in his first season with Republic FC – marking his return to USL. He led the club’s defense, while adding some spectacular goals en route to Team MVP and Defensive MVP honors. He was a regular for the Indomitable Club’s 2021 squad, starting 24 matches across 27 appearances and logging 2,000 minutes for the second time in his career.
He was one of the club’s top contributors throughout the campaign, adding eight goals on the offensive end and posting on of the best passing percentages among returning players. On the defensive end, he led the club in interceptions, successful tackles, and duels won. He took home two Goal of the Week awards, four Team of the Week Selections, and had his 35 yard banger on October 2 voted the October Goal of the Month.
The Brazilian midfielder joined Republic FC in January 2021 following three seasons with MLS side San Jose Earthquakes. While with San Jose, Luis appeared in 21 matches and logged 1,210 minutes. In his MLS debut season in 2018, he started 11 of the 15 matches he was available for selection.
Before joining San Jose, he competed in USL Championship with Reno 1868 FC in its inaugural 2017 season. Luis contributed five goals in a USL record-breaking campaign (75 goals in a season), and was integral in managing possession and tempo by completing 85.2 percent of his passes in 40 appearances (1,192 of 1,399) while also recording 65 interceptions and 16 chances created. In his typical defensive midfield role, he added to a staunch defense that finished the season 10th, with only 40 goals conceded.
Luis made his professional debut in 2016 with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL, where he led the team in minutes played and was nominated for NASL Young Player of the Year. The New York-born, Brazilian-raised midfielder developed his skills as a youth player in the storied Brazilian Cruzeiro Esporte Clube academy in Belo Horizonte. In 2014, he was called into the U.S. U-20 National Team January camp under head coach Tab Ramos.
