Global Youth Stars Ignite the Evolution of the Beautiful Game in the U.S.

As the world's game develops all across North America, The United States and Mexico have always led the progression of the game in these parts. Influence from abroad, developments from within, and cultivation of talents across the world have all been influential in the United States development of soccer. With signings of Mexican youth internationals into USL Academies and MLS NEXT being a leading factor in international selection, the game is developing in all the right areas on this side of the globe.

The Charleston Battery are delighted to confirm Wednesday the signing of Mexican youth international Viggo Ortiz to a USL Academy contract, pending league and federation approval. The 16-year-old attacking midfielder’s signing was completed on Monday before the 2024 USL Championship Roster Freeze.

“I was attracted to the winning culture in Charleston, the players and coaching staff have set the standard and created a wonderful environment for player development,”

- Viggo Ortiz

Ortiz has been a rising star within Mexico's youth national teams, most recently being called up to El Tri's U-17 camps this summer. He has previously competed for the U-15 team (eight caps, one goal) and the U-16 team (three caps). Ortiz was an influential factor in Mexico’s run to the Concacaf U-15 Championship Final in 2023 as he featured in every match.

A Dallas native, Ortiz previously competed with the Austin FC Academy at the U-15 and U-17 levels from 2022 to 2024 and was one of their top prospects. He led the Austin U-15 team to win the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup and was named MVP and Best XI of the tournament.

He now makes the move to the USL Championship for regular involvement in senior football.

“Viggo is a very talented attacking midfielder with a unique and fluid skill set and an ability to find plays that are unpredictable, While he was in the environment training with the team earlier, he showed a willingness to improve and focus on new expectations to fit into our team.”

- Coach Ben Pirmann

Ortiz joins a growing list of active youth internationals to play for the Battery, alongside new teammate and USYNT forward Zeke Soto. Like Soto, Ortiz could follow a similar pathway as Barajas, who developed his game in Charleston before transferring to MLS side Real Salt Lake and later Liga MX giants Chivas de Guadalajara and is now with Mexico's U-20 team.

As a dual citizen, he is also a bilingual international as he is fluent in both Spanish and English. Ortiz is currently eligible to represent both Mexico and the United States in international competition. The young star has an incredibly high ceiling that is only limited by himself as he develops at such a rate and blows by all the youth stages, he is someone who is very aware of himself and has the confidence to back it up.

“Although I know how special it is for me to be here at 16 years old, I also know what I'm capable of.”

“I hope to be contributing to the team soon and I am excited about playing in front of this awesome fanbase.”

- Viggo Ortiz

New Faces and New Opportunities

Earlier in the week, we released the United States U-16 youth national team roster for the upcoming domestic camp in Atlanta, Georgia which will take place September 15-22. .

The roster features a few players returning to the United States for this camp such as Chicago Fire center-back Hugo Berg who recently attended camp with the Sweden U-15 national team. Goalkeeper Marcelo Avalos who recently joined the U-15s will also be joining the U-15s. The Philadelphia Union player from the San Jose Earthquakes was called up to several camps with Mexico U-16 and returns for this camp with the Stars and Stripes. Lastly, Jordyn Eason was also called up to Mexico U-16 and is now called up for the first time. for a U.S. youth national camp.

Notably, defender Tanner Miller, Peter Molinari, Ignacio Suarez, the aforementioned Jordyn Eason, Jakob Garcia, and Malik Jakupovic are joining the U.S. youth national team for the first time.

The U.S. Land in Niigata: A New Chapter Begins…

The U.S. U-18 Youth National Team debuted at the Niigata International Tournament today with a tie against the home team from Niigata. The United States took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal by Leo Orejarena but the Niigata team quickly equalized the score and the result remained the same until the end of the game.

The United States U-18 will face Japan this Saturday and will close out its participation in the tournament on Monday, September 16, facing Peru.

Mexico Uncovers Hidden Gems: New Diamonds in the Rough

The roster for the Mexico U-16 Youth National Team for a domestic camp from September 15-19 has been made official. The roster includes Da'vian Kimbrough, born in 2010 and the youngest player to ever debut in the United States. Kimbrough has been a standout player for Mexico's youth national teams where he was the leading scorer in a tournament in Spain where Mexico faced Finland, Saudi Arabia, and Spain, where Kimbrough managed to score 4 goals in 3 games.

Kimbrough was also a key part of the Sacramento Republic U-15 team where they managed to advance to the Round of 16 beating teams such as Inter Miami.

Prominent players also featured on the roster are Anthony Valdez and Joaquin Jackson. Both dual national players are part of the MLS NEXT Chula Vista FC team and recently participated in the tournament organized by the Mexican soccer federation called Supercopa to expand recruitment in the United States. Both players were part of 'Team California' and left a great impression on the coaches which earned them the call for this domestic camp for Mexico U-16.

Bring On the Weekend Matchups

The MLS NEXT season is in full flow and this weekend features the first time multiple MLS academies are facing each other.

September 14th Matches

  • Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC - U18 10:00AM & U16 12:30PM

  • Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers - U18 2:00PM & U16 4:30PM

  • Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy - U16 10:00AM & U18 12:00PM

  • Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes - U18 10:00AM & U16 12:30PM

September 15th Matches

  • Austin FC vs. St Louis City SC - U18 9:00AM & U16 11:00AM

  • Colorado Rapids vs. LA Galaxy - U18 10:00AM & U16 12:30PM

For results of the top matches every weekend be sure to follow along across all our platforms @footyaccess