After being selected in the 2015 MLS Expansion Draft by Orlando City, Brazilian Pedro Ribeiro has become one of the Lions’ go to forwards. At 6 feet 4 inches, his size makes him an imposing target as the lone man up top. But what many fans may not realize is that he’s also one of the team’s most versatile players.
Ribeiro moved to the United States in 2010 from his hometown of Belo Horizonte to attend Coastal Carolina University. During his four-year collegiate career in Conway, South Carolina, Ribeiro was utilized as a midfielder in the number 10 role. He succeeded in this role and was named first team All-American by College Soccer News and second team All-American by Soccer America and the NSCAA.
At the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia Union selected Ribeiro 15th overall. Soon after he was loaned to Philadelphia’s USL affiliate, the Harrisburg City Islanders, where head coach Bill Becher saw an opportunity to turn the big, strong midfielder into a successful central defender. Despite being new to the position, Ribeiro excelled in the role during the 2014 season.
The Union recalled Ribeiro to end that year in Philadelphia. Head coach Jim Curtin immediately put the rookie up top as his target forward despite the fact that he had played primarily defense in the months prior. It was a fruitful decision as Ribeiro netted two goals in nine appearances to end the year.
Putting Ribeiro’s versatility once again to the test, the Union boss said that he planned on playing the 24-year-old as an attacking midfielder in 2015. However, those plans were thwarted during the MLS Expansion Draft in December.
Having faced Ribeiro in USL and having seen what he did with Philadelphia, Adrian Heath used the opportunity to select the versatile player for Orlando City.
Ribeiro saw his first action for the Lions in their second game of the season against the Houston Dynamo. Coming on as a substitute in the second half, Ribeiro made his impact in the 74th minute when he pressured Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric into a mistake which resulted in an own-goal and gave Orlando City its first MLS win.
After playing 10 games for the Lions as a forward, Orlando City fans got a glimpse of his versatility on Saturday night against FC Dallas. Ribeiro started the game as an attacking midfielder in place of the suspended Kaká. In the second half, Heath made a change moving Carlos Rivas into the midfield and placing Ribeiro up top.
During his first two seasons as a professional, Ribeiro has shown he can succeed and contribute in any role on the pitch. Despite playing almost exclusively as an attacking midfielder prior to becoming a professional, Ribeiro has demonstrated the ability to play anywhere alone the middle of the field. With the challenges of injuries and international call ups this year, this makes Pedro Ribeiro a very valuable asset to the Lions.
