Ibson Barreto da Silva

ACQUIRED: Signed with Minnesota United on 1.23.2017 

MNUFC retained the services of veteran Ibson for the 2018 season following a superb inaugural MLS campaign in 2017. The Brazilian midfielder has been a vital part of the club for three years since joining in 2015 following time in Brazil and across Europe.

In 2017, Ibson ranked among the players with the most touches per 90 minutes across MLS and started 29 of 31 matches. He was also second among MNUFC assist-givers with six on the season. He has proven an exceptional possession player with unmatched control in tight spaces, and his ability to beat defenders and technical footwork help to open up space for teammates and create chances further down the pitch. Additionally, his distribution and dedication have been second to none and a critical piece of Minnesota’s transition play.

“He’s a natural footballer, beautiful first touch, great vision, great awareness,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath in August 2017. “When we had the little run of games where we started to win games at home –– I think he was the fulcrum for that. He was a catalyst for a lot of the good stuff we did.”

After an impressive start to his career with Flamengo in Brazil, Ibson joined FC Porto in 2005. He made 54 appearances for the Portuguese club, seeing the pitch in both Primeira Liga play and a handful of matches in the UEFA Champions League.

He was loaned back to his home club Flamengo for three years while still under contract with Porto, taking the Brazilian league by storm upon his return with a career-high 15 goals in 2008.

Ibson moved back to Europe to sign with Spartak Moscow in 2009. He saw the bulk of his minutes there in 2010, scoring four times in 34 games, including two goals in Champions League play.

After three years in Russia, Ibson once again returned to Brazil, where he played for some of the nation’s top teams, including Santos, Corinthians and once more Flamengo.

Finally, he came to Minnesota in 2015, making an immediate impact with the club by scoring six times in his first season en route to a spot in the NASL Best XI.

2018: Made first start on March 3 at SJ...Scored first MLS goal on March 17 vs CHI...Scored second goal of the season on April 28 vs HOU...Provided first assist of the year on May 26 vs MTL...Scored third goal on July 14 vs RSL...Provided second assist on July 22 vs LAFC...Scored fourth goal on July 28 at VAN...Provided third assist on August 11 at LA

2017: Made MLS debut on March 18 at COL as a halftime substitute and recorded his first assist ... Made his first MLS start the following week, March 25 at NE ... Recorded his second assist of the season on May 7 in a 2-0 victory over SKC ... Provided his third assist of the year on May 27 vs ORL ... Recorded his fourth assist on August 20 at SEA ... Provided fifth assist on September 16 at MTL ... Provided sixth assist on September 23 vs FCD