Pronunciation: Feh-LEE-pay
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180 lbs
Born: January 29, 1996
Hometown: Mineola, New York
Nationality: United States
College: n/a
Previous Club: San Jose Earthquakes
Joined Republic FC: January 29, 2021 (re-signed multi-year contract on December 20, 2022)
Career Bio
2023 USL Championship – Republic FC: 25 starts in 28 appearances, 2,143 minutes, 7 goals, 2 assists, 24 interceptions, 38 tackles won, 160 duels won
Luis Felipe first joined Republic FC ahead of the 2021 season. In his three seasons with the Indomitable Club, the midfielder has not only eclipsed 2,000 minutes each year, but has consistently been among the team’s leaders in successful tackles, duels won, and interceptions. His standout performance in the club’s 2022 Open Cup run saw him notch the game-winner in 3 consecutive matches – 2 of which came against MLS sides.
During his stint in Sacramento, Luis Felipe has been a consistent presence on the league’s Goal of the Week/Month poll and received several honors from his teammates and coaches, including 2021 Team MVP and Defensive MVP, 2021 Play of the Year, and 2023 Play of the Year.
Prior to joining Sacramento, Luis Felipe spent three seasons with MLS side San Jose Earthquakes, where 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 Felipe 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 Felipe 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.
Milestones & Honors
- March 23, 2024: made his 100th appearance for Republic FC
- 2023 Republic FC Play of the Year
- 2023: 3 Team of the Week selections (USL Championship)
- 2023: Surpassed 100 appearances in USL regular season play
- 2022: 1 Team of the Week selection (USL Championship)
- 2021 Republic FC Team MVP
- 2021 Republic FC Team Defensive MVP
- 2021 Republic FC Play of the Year
- 2021: 4 Team of the Week selections (USL Championship)
- 2016 NASL Young Player of the Year Finalist (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)