Efrain Morales

Efrain Morales
Personal information
Full name Efraín Andrés Morales Badillo
Date of birth (2004-03-04) March 4, 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Decatur, Georgia, United States
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Atlanta United
Number 21
Youth career
2016–2021 Atlanta United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Atlanta United 4 (0)
2020– → Atlanta United 2 (loan) 69 (3)
International career‡
2023– Bolivia U20 6 (0)
2024– Bolivia 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 30, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 19, 2024

Efraín Andrés Morales Badillo (born March 4, 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for 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 September 30, 2024[6]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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
Total 69 2 — — 69 2
Atlanta United 2024 MLS 4 0 3 0 0 0 7 0
Career total 73 2 0 3 0 0 76 2

International

As of match played November 19, 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Bolivia 2024 2 0
Total 2 0

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Charleston Battery 3–2 Atlanta United 2". Soccerway.
  3. ^ "Atlanta United re-signs Efraín Morales". ATLUtd.com. Atlanta United. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ecuador v Bolivia game report". ESPN. November 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "Club de la MLS ficha al juvenil boliviano Efraín Morales | EL DEBER". eldeber.com.bo.
  6. ^ Efrain Morales at Soccerway


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