José Ortiz made his first start for the Black-and-Red in ideal fashion on Saturday night, netting his first Major League Soccer goal to give United an early 1-0 lead in United's eventual 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. With Patrick Mullins sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Ortiz becomes the Black-and-Red’s first-choice striker for the foreseeable future, and his Saturday night goal gives him valuable momentum and confidence moving forward.
After coming off of the bench in United’s first three matches of the season, the 24-year-old Ortiz made his first start and logged 70 minutes against the Union on Saturday. In the 18th minute, Ortiz found a gap in the top of the box and called for the cross from Patrick Nyarko, who sent a perfect through ball to the isolated Ortiz. The forward settled the ball, turned, and ripped a shot before two Union defenders collapsed on him, scoring the first goal of his MLS career.
“He’s a competitor and he’s courageous,” head coach Ben Olsen said of Ortiz following Saturday’s 2-1 win over Philadelphia. “A goal always helps a forward and he had a good day.” After scoring the first goal, he was at the heart of the attack again in the 22nd minute, dropping slightly deeper, receiving the ball from left back Taylor Kemp and ripping a shot that beat goalkeeper Andre Blake but skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
While Ortiz has had limited time training with United’s first-team, the Costa Rican will begin forming stronger and stronger connections with the starting midfielders, giving United a more well-flowing and jointed attack moving forward. Ortiz showed what he’s capable of contributing to the Black-and-Red through his goal on Saturday night—the skill and composure to create space in the box, connect with wingers, and create scoring opportunities with his back to goal.
“His energy and movement create problems for opposing defenses and he has a nose for the goal,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said of Ortiz.
