July 13, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today that the Dominican Football Federation has called up forward Christian Ortiz to the Dominican Republic U-20 team. Ortiz will play in the U-20 CONCACAF Championship in Guanajuato, Mexico, from July 19 to August 4.
“We are delighted to have Cristian named in the Dominican Republic U-20 squad,” said Rowdies head coach Robbie Nielsen. “He has improved tremendously since we brought him in for our pre-season camp, which was one of the main reasons we signed him to his first professional contract in May. At just 17 years old, this is a great learning experience that will help him further his professional career. On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish Cristian all the best for the upcoming tournament and look forward to watching him in action.”
Ortiz and Dominica U-20, who are in Group B, will face El Salvador on July 20, Canada on July 23 and Honduras on July 26. All three of the team’s group matches will be played at the Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez in Irapuato, Mexico. Ortiz will miss the next three games for the Rowdies and could miss more if the team is eliminated in the group stage.
This is Ortiz’s first call-up to the Dominican Republic U-20s. The 17-year-old striker signed a professional contract with the club on May 17 after initially joining the Rowdies on a USL Academy contract ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. Ortiz grew up in White Plains, New York before moving to Tampa Bay with his family at a young age. He is eligible to play for the Dominican Republic national team through his father’s side of the family.
Ortiz joins the Dominican Republic U-20 team that is seeking its first CONCACAF U-20 Championship, having secured a spot in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup after finishing as runner-up in the 2022 tournament. The top two teams from each group at this year’s CONCACAF U-20 Championship will advance to a best-of-one match, with the four semifinalists all earning a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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