ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Saturday its first new arrival for the 2022 season with the signing of 2019 USL Championship title winner Justin Portillo. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

“Justin is a player who has the unique ability to control the rhythm and tempo of a game in possession,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Zach Prince. “Combining this with his proven winning mentality, we are excited to add Justin to our midfield group.”

Portillo joined the professional ranks in 2014 at the Charleston Battery, where he competed alongside Prince in the Battery’s midfield during the current United Head Coach’s playing days. Following four seasons with Charleston, including a 2017 campaign in which he was named to the Championship's All-League Second Team, Portillo joined Real Monarchs SLC for the 2018 campaign, where his standout first seasons saw him signed to a Major League Soccer contract by Real Salt Lake prior to the 2019 season.

The 29-year-old made 11 appearances in the top flight for RSL over the past three seasons, while also featuring on loan for the Monarchs. In 2019, Portillo made 16 regular season appearances for the Monarchs and played a key role in the club’s run to the 2019 USL Championship Final, where it took victory against Louisville City FC to earn the league title.

During his career, Portillo has recorded 158 appearances in the USL Championship’s regular season and recorded 23 goals and 23 assists.