USL CHAMPIONSHIP: Charleston Battery re-sign Viggo Ortiz to USL Academy contract
- Dan STICKRADT
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery are pleased to announce Thursday the re-signing of Mexican youth international Viggo Ortiz to a USL Academy contract, pending league and federation approval. The 16-year-old attacking midfielder returns for his second season with the Battery.
Ortiz first joined the Battery on a USL Academy contract in September 2024. While Ortiz did not log an appearance last season, he was selected for four matchday squads in the latter stages of the regular season. Ortiz featured in the 2025 preseason matches against Austin FC and D.C. United in Florida.
Ortiz has been a rising star within Mexico’s youth national teams and is currently competing with the U-17 national team in the Concacaf U-17 Men’s Qualifiers in Mexico. If Mexico and Ortiz win their group, they will directly qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. Ortiz has a chance to follow the footsteps of former Battery winger Fidel Barajas, who won the 2023 edition of the tournament and qualified for the U-17 World Cup that year.
Altogether, Ortiz has earned four caps with the U-17 national team. He previously featured for the U-15 national team (eight caps, one goal), helping lead Mexico to the 2023 Concacaf U-15 Championship Final, and the U-16 national team (three caps).
“Viggo is a young player who got better every day with our club last year, he takes on information well and has a great growth mindset,” said Battery head coach Ben Pirmann. “Viggo has shown his ability to take players on one-on-one while utilizing his dribbling skills to create and finish chances. As he continues to grow physically and mentally, he will improve out of possession and become even more of a complete player.”
A Dallas, Texas, 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.
As a dual citizen, Ortiz is eligible to represent both Mexico and the United States in international competition. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
USL Academy contracts allow young players to gain valuable experience at the professional level while still preserving their college soccer eligibility.
Ortiz will retain the number 11.
The re-addition of Ortiz brings the Battery’s total number of players to 21. The club will continue to assess players and construct the roster in the build-up to the season opener on March 8 against Louisville City FC.
CHARLESTON BATTERY ROSTER 2025
(as of Feb. 13, 2025)
Goalkeepers: Daniel Kuzemka, Luis Zamudio
Defenders: Joey Akpunonu, Leland Archer, Langston Blackstock, Nathan Dossantos, Josh Drack, Graham Smith, Mark Segbers
Midfielders: Chris Allan, Johnny Klein, Houssou Landry, Aaron Molloy, Viggo Ortiz (A), Arturo Rodriguez, Juan David Torres, Emilio Ycaza
Forwards: Jackson Conway, Douglas Martínez, MD Myers, Zeke Soto
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 32-year veteran of the Michigan and national media circles and recently joined the staff full time at PMG in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/NSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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