PORTLAND, Ore. --- With the 29th pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, FC Cincinnati selected Portland midfielder Rey Ortiz, who recently capped a stellar career for the Pilots. This is the third straight year that the Pilots have sent a player to MLS.
 
"I'm very excited to be a part of FC Cincinnati," Ortiz said. "They put their trust in me and I will work as hard as I can to help in any way I can. I am still in shock that I got drafted today. It's a dream come true to my family and I am very excited to start working with the staff and players.
 
"I also want to thank everyone at UP. They welcomed me with open arms from the first day and have helped me become a better man, student and athlete. UP holds a special part in my heart and I will bleed purple till my days are over. Sco Lits!"

"Very excited for Rey Ortiz to be the first pick by FC Cincinnati in the MLS SuperDraft," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "This is a very exciting day for the Ortiz family and the Portland men's soccer program as Rey was able to accomplish both of his goals of graduating early from UP and being drafted to the MLS. Rey was my first recruit here at UP and it's with great pride that he has earned this opportunity. Rey leaves the program better than he found it, which is always one of our goals for any incoming player. Cincinnati is not only getting a dynamic, talented winger, but they are getting a great person with a big heart who will give everything he has to the club."
 
Ortiz, a midfielder, led the Pilots with 13 points this season, which came on three goals and seven assists. He ended his career No. 7 all-time in program history with 24 overall assists, and his 13 assists as a sophomore in 2017 missed matching a program single-season record by one and ranked No. 3 in the nation.
 
Ortiz earned All-American honors in 2017, and he was selected to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list twice. In 2017 and 2018 Ortiz was named to the all-west region first team, and he earned all-west region second ream recognition this fall. Ortiz was also voted to the All-WCC First Team in 2017 and 2019, and he was voted to the all-conference second team as a junior
 
In 2018, it was Kris Reaves (FC Dallas) and Paul Christensen (Atlanta United FC) who went to MLS, and last year Benji Michel joined Orlando City SC. All three players made regular season debuts as rookies.
 
Ortiz is the highest drafted Pilots since Collen Warner went 15th overall in 2010.