Ibson Barreto da Silva

  • Years with club: 2015–2018
  • Position: Midfielder (Central Midfield)
  • Nationality: Brazilian

Ibson Barreto da Silva, known simply as Ibson, joined Minnesota United FC in February 2015 when the club was competing in the North American Soccer League (NASL). A veteran midfielder with extensive experience at major Brazilian clubs (like Flamengo and Santos) and European clubs (like Porto and Spartak Moscow), he quickly became a vital player for the Loons. He was one of the few players retained by the club for its inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season in 2017, where he served as a central figure in the midfield until his departure in 2018.

Key stats with Minnesota United (NASL & MLS):

  • NASL career appearances (2015-2016): 58 (38 in Fall Championship, 10 in Spring Championship)
  • MLS regular season appearances (2017-2018): 58
  • Total club assists (NASL & MLS): 14 (8 in NASL, 6 in MLS)
  • Total club goals (NASL & MLS): 10 (6 in NASL, 4 in MLS)
  • Total minutes played for MNUFC (all competitions): 6,957
  • Acquisition: Signed February 23, 2015.
  • Departure: Left the club after the 2018 season.

Memorable moments:

  • Veteran leadership: He was a leader on the pitch, using his experience to command the midfield and dictate play.
  • Playmaker: He was instrumental in transition play, noted for his ability to slip dangerous passes through defenders. In 2017, he recorded six assists in MLS.
  • MLS retention: He was one of the key players from the NASL era who made the jump with the club into MLS for the 2017 season.

Where is he now?:

  • Ibson retired from playing professional soccer on July 1, 2022.
  • He is currently working as a football coach in Brazil.
  • He serves as an assistant manager for Brazilian club Amazonas, a role he has held since 2023.