Andres Gonzalez, who works with Deportivo de Radio Columbia in Costa Rica, reports that Jose Guillermo Ortiz, forward who just moved from Costa Rica club Alajuelense to fellow Primera División side Herediano, is headed to MLS, with separate reports hinting that he may be coming to D.C. United on loan. Ortiz, 24, has played with los Rojinegros since 2012 and if the player looks familiar to Black-and-Red faithful, it’s because he scored two goals against DCU in the first leg of Alajuelense’s 5-2 win over DC in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Ortiz scored 17 goals in 48 games across all competitions in 2015/16 and has scored 4 goals in the 2016/17 Torneo de Invierno to go with 6 assists (one of which came Wednesday night), the latter of which puts him in 3rd place league-wide in this recent split season. Ortiz is a striker but can play on both wings (similar to alleged DCU target Andy Polo). At roughly 5’7” tall, a wide role might be more common in MLS.
Here’s where things get entertaining: the goal last night was to Jonathan McDonald, who himself was a rumored target of a loan move to United six months ago. Alajuelense allowed Ortiz to sign with rival Herediano literally today, so now any fees or purchases would go to Herediano (MLS officials are reported to be traveling to Costa Rica this weekend to discuss, and Teletica in Costa Rica says that DC is the primary team of interest). Then there’s also the whole thing of whether such a loan offer has been extended for a guy who apparently was close to an MLS deal at the beginning of the year before his contract was renewed along with Ronald Matarrita, who was eventually loaned to New York City FC.
Nevertheless, first silly season rumor and all, so take it with a grain of salt.
And in lieu of a proper sizzle reel, check out the local news talking about Ortiz, who appears to have a trademark goal celebration: