Pablo Campos
- Position: Forward
- Date of Birth: Jan. 29, 1983 (43 years old)
- Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
- Height: 6’3″
- Current Status: Retired (Head Varsity Coach, Delano Boys Soccer / Director of Coaching, West Metro Select Rush)
The big picture
Pablo Campos was the ultimate “Big Man” of the modern North American Soccer League (NASL). A product of the Brazilian youth systems at Guarani and Botafogo, Campos brought a unique blend of South American flair and brute physical force to the United States. Before arriving in Minnesota, he was already a champion, winning the 2009 MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake and sweeping the NASL Golden Boot and MVP awards with the San Antonio Scorpions in 2012.
The Minnesota journey
Campos joined the newly rebranded Minnesota United FC in 2013 as the centerpiece of a high-octane attack. In his debut season, he led the team with 13 goals, quickly becoming the focal point of the offense at the National Sports Center. His tenure in Saint Paul (2013–2015) was defined by his ability to dominate center-backs in the air and his underrated skill with the ball at his feet. While an ACL injury sidelined him for most of 2014, his return in 2015 proved he hadn’t lost his predatory instinct, helping the club bridge the gap from the NASL era into the MLS expansion phase.
The professional
Standing 6’3″, Campos was a classic target forward who excelled at playing with his back to the goal. His primary value was his “hold-up” play; he could shield the ball from multiple defenders, allowing teammates like Christian Ramirez and Miguel Ibarra to exploit the space he created. However, he was far more than a decoy. Campos was a clinical finisher from any angle in the box and a relentless aerial threat, often scoring goals through sheer physical will.
Minnesota United statistics (NASL Era)
- Appearances: 52
- Goals: 20
- Assists: 7
- League Honors: NASL Best XI (2013), NASL All-Time Modern Era Leading Scorer (Set in 2015)
Signature Loon moment
Campos’s legacy was immortalized on June 3, 2015, in a match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. With a signature clinical finish, Campos scored his 51st career goal, officially becoming the all-time leading scorer in the modern NASL era. It was a record that reflected not just his time in Minnesota, but his absolute dominance of the second division throughout the 2010s. While teammate Christian Ramirez eventually chased down the record, that night in 2015 belonged to the “Big Brazilian,” cementing his status as a first-ballot Hall of Famer for the franchise.
