SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Colombian midfielder Tressor Moreno pending receipt of his P-1 visa. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Moreno, 33, has appeared in matches for clubs in Colombia, France, Chile, Mexico and Peru, while also making a number of appearances for the Colombian national team. The veteran attacking midfielder is best known for his days with Mexican outfit San Luis FC, where he helped lead Los Potosinos to berths in the 2008 Copa Sudamericana and 2009 Copa Libertadores.
“Tressor has great vision and is a terrific passer of the ball," said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. “He's a proven No. 10 at the international level and is coming off a successful season in Chile. He brings a new element to our squad that we've been looking for and we're excited to have him.”
The 5-foot-8 playmaker last suited up for Santiago Wanderers in 2011, scoring once in 16 games. Prior to his time in Chile, he began a productive career in Mexico in 2005 with Club Necaxa where he scored five goals and notched nine assists in 31 matches. Following two seasons with Necaxa, he made a move to Veracruz and produced eight goals and six assists in 32 league games over two seasons.
In 2007, Moreno moved to San Luis FC, where he enjoyed his best success in Mexico, scoring 17 goals and recording 14 assists in 110 matches in all competitions. In 2008, he scored in the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 against Argentinos Juniors. San Luis’ participation in the tournament marked only the second time (2004 and 2008) that teams from CONCACAF were represented in the CONMEBOL event.
“Tressor is a classic No. 10,” said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle. “He’s a guy who can dictate the tempo of a game and really take control for us. He has the ability to score goals, but more importantly can set other guys up for scoring chances.”
Prior to his move to Mexico, the creative string-puller played three seasons for FC Metz in France from 2000-02 and 2003-04. During his final season with Les Grenats, he scored the game-winner in a 3-0 win against EA Guingamp to help his club advance to the France Coupe de la Ligue Round of 16. In his three seasons, Moreno made 39 appearances and tallied two goals in league play. Breaking up his stints in France were loan spells with Colombian outfits America de Cali and Independiente Medellin.
Internationally, Moreno has seven goals and 32 caps for his native Colombia. He was a member of Los Cafeteros’ 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad, starting all four games in which he appeared. During the group stage, Moreno scored in a 2-1 loss to Honduras in Miami, Fla., on July 10, but his squad would bounce back to reach the semifinals before falling to Panama. In 2004, Moreno made his presence felt during an international tournament, this time scoring twice during Colombia’s run to the Copa America semifinals.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign M Tressor Moreno.
Tressor Moreno
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Born: January 11, 1979 in Riosucio, Colombia
Last Club: Santiago Wanderers (Chile)
Citizenship: Colombia
How Acquired: Signed by the San Jose Earthquakes on Feb. 2, 2012.
