Cristian Espinoza: Why his profile still draws attention in Brazil after MLS peak | OneFootball

In 2024, Cruzeiro even included the name Cristian Espinoza in its target list. At the time, the Argentine forward was at his peak in the San Jose Earthquakes, leading the MLS in chances created and being closely watched by the SAF of the Minas Gerais club. The idea was clear: reinforce the right side of the attack with speed and assistance capacity

Negotiation, however, did not move forward before the international window closed on March 7, 2024. Even so, the interest he left behind is marked, and to this day, Espinoza is mentioned by Brazilian fans as a key player for their team, whether he was playing at the top or in a more supporting role.

Cristian Espinoza Free Agent on the Market

Now, the scenario has changed - and perhaps the time is more propitious than ever for Cruzeiro or another Brazilian team to go after Espinoza.

At 30, Espinoza officially became a free agent after San José chose not to renew his contract for 2026. There were five high-profile seasons, with 82 assists in 207 games, two All-Star Game nominations, and idol status in California.

In the 2025 season, despite a slight drop in performance, he provided eight assists, creating 193 finishing opportunities - numbers that reinforce his tactical and technical importance to the Earthquakes.

Even without being a goal scorer, Cristian Espinoza maintains creative indicators among the best in the MLS.

He is in the 99th percentile in XAg (expected goals assisted) and also in actions that generate finishes (6.46 for 90 minutes) — a very high volume for a striker. His offensive involvement is also supported by 58 attempted passes per game (96th percentile) and 5.79 progressive passes (85th percentile), demonstrating his significant participation in the construction and execution of plays.

It is an advanced articulator profile, more focused on tactical intelligence and the fluidity of the attack than on the conclusion.

Where did Espinoza fall?

On the other hand, the numbers also reveal their limitations in the last third. Espinoza scores just 0.10 goals per 90 minutes (18th percentile) and has an xG of 0.11 — low scores among the league's leading players. His passing accuracy (67.9%) is well below average (15th percentile), reflecting his aggressive style and preference for vertical passes. He finishes poorly (1.44 shots per game) and has a modest presence in the 2.68 touches in the attacking zone (27th percentile).

In short, he's a prolific creator, but not a finisher—something that can limit his impact depending on the tactical system.

The club still tried to keep him, but the player chose to test options both in the United States and abroad.

In Brazil, many teams appear to be interested in learning more about Cristian Espinoza, and now it remains to be seen if he will be another South American to make the trip to the southern continent after having an unbeatable career in MLS.