Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva (born 18 August 1979), known as Fred, is a Brazilian former footballer who became an assistant coach for Philadelphia Union II. Carreiro played for the Harrisburg Heat of the Major Arena Soccer League. He also played for Australian A-League side Melbourne Heart, MLS sides D.C. United & Philadelphia Union, and Brazilian side América among other clubs.
Career
Brazil Fred began his career in his native Brazil, playing for Olympic Barbacena, Tupi, América and Guarani.
Melbourne Victory Fred signed for Australian club Melbourne Victory in 2006 and, despite a controversial three-game suspension for an alleged elbow, was one of the standouts of the 2006–07 A-League season. His popularity increased when he appeared in a television commercial promoting underwear. He was voted best A-League player for season 2 by The World Game Team. In the 2007 A-League Grand Final against Adelaide United, Fred had four assists on the five goals scored by Archie Thompson.
D.C. United
After the season, Fred signed with Major League Soccer club D.C. United. It was reported to be a matter of money, as United offered a guaranteed salary of US$222,000 per year (which the Melbourne Victory could not match due to the more stringent salary cap in the A-League).
The name on the back of his D.C. United jersey was simply "Fred", despite initially being told he would have to use his proper last name, per MLS rules at the time (which have since changed). He made his debut on 3 April 2007 against Chivas de Guadalajara in a CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal match. On 3 September 2008, Fred scored the game-winning goal in D.C. United's 2–1 win over the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup Final.
Wellington Phoenix On 14 November 2008, Fred was confirmed as a guest player for New Zealand-based A-League club Wellington Phoenix. He was scheduled to play six games for the Phoenix before returning to D.C. United for the next season. In his third game, he scored his first goal, against Adelaide United, although the Phoenix still lost 6–1. On 10 December 2008, Fred returned to Brazil due to his father's sudden death and on 18 December it was announced that Fred would not return to the Wellington Phoenix to complete his contract meaning he only appeared in three of his six scheduled games in New Zealand.
Philadelphia Union On 13 January 2010, Fred was traded to Philadelphia Union, along with D.C. United's first-round 2010 MLS SuperDraft pick, and allocation money in exchange for Philadelphia's top spot in the allocation order. D.C. subsequently used the top allocation ranking to re-acquire goalkeeper Troy Perkins.D.C United Sends Fred to Philadelphia, Reacquires Goalie Troy Perkins. necn.com (13 January 2010) A list telling the players that were available for the new MLS Re-Entry Draft revealed that he was available for the draft due to being out of contact.MLS unveils players for Re-Entry Process draft. mlssoccer.com (3 December 2010)
New England Revolution On 15 December 2010, Fred was chosen by New England Revolution in the second round of the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft.Union lose Seitz, Fred in Re-Entry Draft . Philadelphia Union (15 December 2010). Retrieved on 2013-07-20. However, he declined the club's contract offer and pursued a contract outside of MLS.Veteran Fred pursuing other career opportunities . MLSsoccer.com (4 January 2011). Retrieved on 2013-07-20.
Back to D.C. United Fred returned to MLS and signed with D.C. United on 18 February 2011 after D.C. acquired his MLS rights from New England for a second-round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick.D.C. United re-acquires Brazilian midfielder Fred. dcunited.com (18 February 2011)
Melbourne Heart On 20 June 2011, Fred was announced as one of Melbourne Heart's big name off-season signings, on a salary of $200,000 AUD for the season.Heart swoops for star duo : The World Game on SBS . Theworldgame.sbs.com.au (20 June 2011). Retrieved on 2013-07-20. He came following his brief second stint at D.C. United of MLS, officially joining his new club when the international transfer window opened in mid-July 2011. Melbourne Heart are the direct cross-town rivals of Fred's former club, Melbourne Victory, with whom he achieved the 2006/07 Premiership and Championship double.Return Of The Fred...Again? – Australia News – Australian FourFourTwo – The Ultimate Football Website . Au.fourfourtwo.com (16 June 2011). Retrieved on 2013-07-20. Fred played against his former team for the first time in the 3rd round of the 2011/12 season.
On 22 April 2012 Fred was named the Alex Tobin player of the year for 2012 whilst playing for Melbourne Heart.
As a result of the Heart finishing second-to-last on the A-League ladder, their worst finish in an A-League season, Fred, along with teammates Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson and Clint Bolton, were released by the Heart at the conclusion of the 2012–13 A-League season.Davutovic, David (9 April 2013) . Herald Sun
Return to Philadelphia Union On 20 March 2014 Philadelphia Union re-acquired Fred through the MLS waiver draft system.
Harrisburg Heat In 2017, Fred joined Major Arena Soccer League club Harrisburg Heat.
Coaching Fred began coaching in the Philadelphia Union Academy system in 2016. In February 2025, he was appointed as an assistant coach for the Union's MLS Next Pro side, Philadelphia Union II.
On June 26, 2026 Fred was appointed as an interim Assistant Coach for the Philadelphia Union.
Personal life Fred is the older brother of Júnior Carreiro, who is also a professional footballer and midfielder and his former teammate at D.C. United in 2011.
It has been reported that Fred holds a U.S. green card which would qualify him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.
Honours Melbourne Victory A-League Champions: 2006–07 A-League Premiers: 2006–07
D.C. United Major League Soccer: 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2008
Individual Four Four Two Player of the Year: 2006–07 Four Four Two Import of the Season 2006–07 A-League Team of the Season: 2011–12
Career statistics Updated 17 October 2010 SeasonCampeonato Brasileiro Série DCopa do BrasilCampeonatoSouth AmericaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsTupi1998??------??1999??------??2000??------?? Club Total 48 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 48 13SeasonCampeonato Brasileiro Série CCopa do BrasilCampeonatoSouth AmericaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAmérica2001??------??2002??------??2003??------??2004??------?? Club Total 80 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 20SeasonCampeonato Brasileiro Série BCopa do BrasilCampeonatoSouth AmericaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsGuarani2005??------??2006??------?? Club Total 35 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 8SeasonA-LeagueAsiaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsMelbourne Victory2006–07174------174 Club Total 17 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 4SeasonMLSU.S. Open CupMLS Cup PlayoffsNorth AmericaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsD.C. United20072670020??287 Club Total 26 7 0 0 2 0 0 0 28 7SeasonA-LeagueAsiaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsWellington Phoenix2008–0931------31 Club Total 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1SeasonMLSU.S. Open CupMLS Cup PlayoffsNorth AmericaTotalAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsD.C. United200823241--71344200923220--41293 Club Total 46 4 6 1 0 0 11 2 63 7Philadelphia Union2010254------254 Club Total 25 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 4Career Total 279 61 6 1 6 0 11 2 302 62
References
External links
Boys from Brazil