Efrain Morales
Efraín Andrés Morales Badillo (born March 4, 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United. Born in the United States, he represents Bolivia internationally.
Club career
Born in Decatur, Georgia, Morales joined in the youth academy of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in 2016.[1] Morales began at the under-12 level but quickly progressed to the under-17 side.[1] After impressing coaches in the youth setup, Morales signed a professional homegrown player contract with Atlanta United on August 13, 2020, which will come into effect on January 1, 2021.[1]
On August 15, 2020, Morales made his professional debut for Atlanta United 2, Atlanta United's reserve team in the USL Championship, against Charleston Battery. He came on as a 22nd-minute substitute for Patrick Nielsen and scored his first professional goal in the 51st minute. Despite the goal, Atlanta United 2 lost 3–2.[2]
Morales signed a contract extension with Atlanta United on November 29, 2023.[3]
International career
Morales made his Bolivia national team debut on 14 November 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador at Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo. He played the full game as Ecuador won 4–0.[4]
Personal life
Born in the United States, Morales is the son of a Bolivian father and a Puerto Rican mother.[5]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played March 7, 2025[6]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Atlanta United 2 | 2020 | USL Championship | 4 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | USL Championship | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2022 | USL Championship | 24 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | USL Championship | 20 | 0 | — | — | 20 | 0 | |||
| 2024 | USL Championship | 15 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 1 | |||
| 2025 | USL Championship | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 70 | 2 | — | — | 70 | 2 | ||||
| Atlanta United | 2024 | MLS | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Career total | 74 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 2 | ||
International
- As of match played March 20, 2025
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 0 | |
References
- ^ a b c Bogert, Tom (August 13, 2020). "Atlanta United sign 16-year-old US youth national team defender Efrain Morales to Homegrown deal". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
- ^ "Charleston Battery 3–2 Atlanta United 2". Soccerway.
- ^ "Atlanta United re-signs Efraín Morales". ATLUtd.com. Atlanta United. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ "Ecuador v Bolivia game report". ESPN. November 14, 2024.
- ^ "Club de la MLS ficha al juvenil boliviano Efraín Morales | EL DEBER". eldeber.com.bo.
- ^ Efrain Morales at Soccerway
External links
- Efrain Morales at Soccerway.com
- Efrain Morales at kicker (in German)
- Efrain Morales at FBref.com
- Efrain Morales at Major League Soccer
