Columbus Explorer and Inter Miami U19 Player Cristian Ortiz Named to Puerto Rico’s Senior National Team

Cristian Ortiz, the Christopher Columbus High School senior who plays on the Inter Miami CF Academy U19 Soccer Team, was named to Puerto Rico’s Senior National Team in October, 2023. As a 17-year old, Cristian is the second to youngest player on Puerto Rico’s team which is made up mostly of professional athletes in their 20s and 30s.

Cristian made his international debut with Puerto Rico during the CONCACAF Nations League’s games against Guyana at the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Technical Centre on October 14 and 17.Cristian is the first student-athlete from Columbus to play on the international stage in the sport of soccer while still attending the high school.

“I am so proud of him,” said Kameron Clark, Columbus Head Varsity Coach. “At such a young age, Cristian is already an extremely disciplined player. I can’t wait to see where the game takes him next; his future is bright!”

“Soccer has always been my passion,” said Cristian. “The last few months have been incredible for me, first signing on with Inter Miami and now with the Puerto Rico National team. With Inter Miami, I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime to train with the some of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and they are all my idols. Playing for the national team of my country, where I was born, is a dream come true and I am learning so much. My immediate goal is to finish my high school education at Columbus and then commit to a university where I can continue playing the sport I love.”

The next round of matches for Puerto Rico will be in November against Antigua and The Bahamas.