The Dominican Football Federation announced on Friday the selection of Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Cristian Ortiz to the Dominican Republic U-20 Men’s National Team that will compete in the 2024 Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship

The Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship kicks off this Friday in Mexico, with games being held in Guanajuato and Celaya, Mexico. The call-up is the first of Ortiz’s career as the side looks to quality for a the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup for a second consecutive occasion.

“We are very excited for Cristian to be named to the U-20 Dominican Republic roster,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “He has developed tremendously since we brought him into preseason camp, which is one of the main reasons we signed him to his first professional contract back in May.

“At the young age of 17, this is a great learning experience which will help him progress his professional career. On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish Cristian all the best in the upcoming tournament, and we are eager to watch his matches.”

The Dominican Republic is drawn in Group B and will kick off against El Salvador next Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The side will also face Canada on July 23 and Honduras on July 26. All three of the team’s group stage matches are scheduled to take place at Estadio Sergio León Chávez in Irapuato, Mexico.

The 17-year-old attacker first joined the Rowdies ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season on a USL Academy contract before signing a professional deal with the club on May 17. Ortiz grew up in White Plains, New York before moving to Tampa Bay with his family at a young age. He is eligible to play for the Dominican Republic National Team through his father’s side of the family.

The top two teams from each group of this year’s Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship will move on to single-elimination play, with the four semifinalists booking a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.