Eduard Atuesta Bio
Eduard Andrés Atuesta Velasco (born 18 June 1997) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Orlando City. Standing at 180 centimeters, Atuesta is known for his composure on the ball and his ability to dictate the tempo of matches from deep in midfield. Throughout his career, he has represented clubs in Colombia, the United States, and Brazil, earning recognition for his performances in both domestic and international competitions.
Early Life and Background
Eduard Andrés Atuesta Velasco was born on 18 June 1997 in Vélez, Santander, Colombia. He grew up in the Colombian interior, a region with a deep cultural connection to the sport of football. From an early age, Atuesta developed his skills in local youth setups, progressing through the development pathways that have long fed Colombian professional clubs.
His formative years were shaped by the competitive youth environment in Colombia, which prepared him for the demands of senior football. By his late teens, Atuesta had attracted attention from one of Colombia’s top-flight sides, leading to his entry into professional football with Independiente Medellín. His Colombian nationality and upbringing in Santander have remained central to his identity as a player.
Path to Professional Soccer
Atuesta’s route to professional football began in the youth system of Independiente Medellín, where he worked his way into the senior squad. He made his senior debut in the Copa Colombia on 13 April 2016 in a 5–1 victory over Envigado FC, marking the first step in his senior career. Later that season, he made his league debut in the Torneo Finalización as a substitute against Jaguares de Córdoba on 18 September, followed by his international debut in the Copa Sudamericana three days later.
In the 2017 season, Atuesta became a regular starter for Independiente Medellín as the club defended its Torneo Apertura title. That same year, he represented the Colombia under-20 national team at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship, gaining valuable international experience at the youth level. In August 2019, he was called into the Colombia under-23 national team for friendlies against Brazil and Argentina, further demonstrating his standing within Colombian football.
Eduard Atuesta Career
Early Career at Independiente Medellín (2016–2018)
Atuesta’s first notable run came with Independiente Medellín, where he transitioned from a cup debutant to a regular starter within two seasons. During the 2017 Copa Colombia, he helped the club reach the final, though they ultimately fell 3–1 on aggregate to Atlético Junior. His growing influence in midfield drew the attention of Major League Soccer expansion side Los Angeles FC.
In the 2018 season, Atuesta made one final appearance for Independiente Medellín before being loaned to Los Angeles FC on 27 February 2018, beginning his move abroad at just twenty years old.
Los Angeles FC Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Los Angeles FC signed Atuesta on a season-long loan for their inaugural 2018 Major League Soccer campaign, and on 13 December 2018, the club announced a permanent three-year deal. He made his first appearance for Los Angeles FC in the inaugural El Tráfico derby on 31 March, a 4–3 away loss to the LA Galaxy, and scored his first goal for the club on 9 May, the opener in a 2–0 win over Minnesota United.
The 2019 season marked Atuesta’s true breakthrough in Major League Soccer. On 21 April, he scored his first goal as a permanent signing for the club in a 4–1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Los Angeles FC qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season and secured the Supporters’ Shield, their first major trophy in club history. Atuesta made his playoffs debut in the El Tráfico semi-final against LA Galaxy on 24 October, which Los Angeles FC won 4–2, and scored his first career playoff goal in a 1–3 defeat to the Seattle Sounders on 29 October.
On 27 February 2020, Atuesta made his international debut with Los Angeles FC in the CONCACAF Champions League in a 3–0 victory over Club León. Later that year, in the semi-finals against Club América on 19 December, he received a red card in the 45th minute, forcing him to miss the final, which Los Angeles FC lost 2–1 to Tigres UANL. On 4 August 2021, Atuesta was selected by Bob Bradley to the MLS All-Stars for a friendly match against the Liga MX All-Stars, where he saw his penalty saved by Guillermo Ochoa, though the MLS All-Stars eventually won the shoot-out 3–2.
Palmeiras Era (2022–2025)
On 13 December 2021, Atuesta was sold to Palmeiras, where he signed a four-year contract. He made his debut for the Brazilian club on 29 January 2022 in the Campeonato Paulista in a 1–1 draw with São Bernardo. Fixture congestion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic allowed Atuesta to play in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, which was played in February 2022, and he made his international debut for Palmeiras on 8 February, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute in a 2–0 victory over Al Ahly. On 7 August 2022, he scored his first goal for the club, the third of a 3–0 win against Goiás in Série A.
In the 2023 season, Atuesta saw his playing time fall dramatically, making only seven appearances across all competitions. The 2024 season offered little more, with just one appearance, an 81st-minute substitute outing against Novorizontino in the Campeonato Paulista, before his departure.
Return to Los Angeles FC and Orlando City Era (2024–Present)
On 8 February 2024, Atuesta was loaned back to Los Angeles FC for the 2024 season on a one-year loan with an option to buy. He marked his return to the club on 24 February in a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Sounders. On 23 March, he scored his first goal since returning, the final goal of a 5–0 rout of Nashville SC, finishing the regular season with four goals and six assists. On 27 November, Los Angeles FC announced that Atuesta’s loan had expired and that they were not pursuing a purchase.
On 10 February 2025, Atuesta was signed by Major League Soccer club Orlando City on a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. He debuted in the opening match of the season against Philadelphia Union, a 2–4 loss. On 15 March, he provided an assist and a secondary assist in a 2–2 draw with the New York Red Bulls, earning selection to the Team of the Matchday. On 25 June, he delivered a hat-trick of assists in a 4–2 win at St. Louis City SC, earning a second Team of the Matchday selection. After the conclusion of Atuesta’s first season with Orlando City, the club exercised his contract option.
Driving Style and Strengths
Atuesta is recognized as a deep-lying playmaker whose strengths include precise passing, positional awareness, and the ability to break up opposition attacks. His comfort in both central and defensive midfield roles has allowed him to adapt to varying tactical systems across Independiente Medellín, Los Angeles FC, Palmeiras, and Orlando City.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Atuesta’s signature moments are his role in Los Angeles FC’s Supporters’ Shield-winning 2019 campaign, his debut in the FIFA Club World Cup with Palmeiras in February 2022, and his hat-trick of assists for Orlando City against St. Louis City SC on 25 June 2025.
Eduard Atuesta Career Wins
Across his senior career, Atuesta has contributed to competitive campaigns at Independiente Medellín, Los Angeles FC, Palmeiras, and Orlando City. He has registered goals and assists at every major club he has represented and has been part of trophy-contending squads in both Major League Soccer and Brazilian football.
Los Angeles FC Highlights
Atuesta was a central figure in Los Angeles FC’s 2019 Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign and made an immediate impact on his return in 2024, finishing the regular season with four goals and six assists.
Other Wins and Performances
Atuesta’s spell at Palmeiras included appearances in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup and contributions in Série A, while his time at Independiente Medellín saw him feature in a Copa Colombia final in 2017.
Eduard Atuesta Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details regarding Atuesta’s family background remain limited. He was raised in Vélez, Santander, Colombia, and developed his early football career in the country’s competitive youth system.
Personal Life
Atuesta earned his U.S. green card in February 2019, a status that also qualifies him as a domestic player for Major League Soccer roster purposes.
2025 Season Performance
Eduard Atuesta joined Orlando City on 10 February 2025 on a one-year contract with a club option for 2026, marking a fresh start in Major League Soccer after his loan spell at Los Angeles FC. He debuted in the opening match of the season, a 2–4 loss to Philadelphia Union, and quickly settled into a regular midfield role.
His form peaked mid-season, as a 15 March performance against the New York Red Bulls, where he recorded an assist and a secondary assist in a 2–2 draw, earned him selection to the Team of the Matchday. On 25 June, he produced a hat-trick of assists in a 4–2 win at St. Louis City SC, earning a second Team of the Matchday selection and cementing his value to Orlando City’s midfield.
Following the conclusion of his first season with Orlando City, the club exercised his contract option, securing his services into 2026. The decision signals confidence in his role as a key playmaker heading into the next campaign.