Joao Ortiz

ACQUIRED: On January 15, 2025 from Ecuador’s LigaPro Serie A's Independiente del Valle. Ortiz joins the Timbers through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028.

2025: Made MLS debut in home opener against Vancouver on Feb. 23.

CAREER: Joao Ortiz joins Portland after spending the last three seasons (2022-24) with Independiente del Valle from Ecuador’s LigaPro Serie A. With Independiente del Valle, the midfielder registered 103 appearances (79 starts), scoring five goals and tallying six assists. Ortiz helped the club reach the league final two years in a row and made appearances in international tournaments Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

INTERNATIONAL: Internationally, Ortiz has made nine appearances (four starts) for the Ecuadorian Men’s National Team. Ortiz made his senior debut as a starter in Ecuador’s 3-0 win over Mexico on Oct. 28 in 2021. Notably, he made five appearances in Ecuador’s 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, logging a 90-minute performance in their 2-1 win over Bolivia. Most recently, Ortiz was called into Ecuador’s Copa América 2024 squad in the summer.