PORTLAND, Ore. – T2 have signed midfielders Carlos Anguiano and Todd Wharton, defender Niko De Vera and goalkeeper Jake Leeker for the 2019 USL Championship season, it was announced today.
The four signings join a returning group of players that includes defenders Harold Hanson and Max Ornstil, who have signed new contracts for the 2019 season, and defender Arturo Diz Pe, who had his contract option exercised following the 2018 campaign.
The club will announce additional roster moves heading into the start of the 2019 USL regular season.
Anguiano, 19, appeared in 13 matches (8 starts) the past two seasons for T2 (2017-18) as a member of the Portland Timbers Academy. The Salem, Ore., native made his debut for T2 as a 17-year-old in a 1-1 draw at Reno 1868 FC on July 22, 2017. Anguiano played in nine matches (5 starts) for T2 in 2018, logging 464 minutes played.
De Vera, 22, played the 2018 USL season with New York Red Bulls II, where he appeared in 27 matches (22 starts). The Camas, Wash., native was drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the second round (31st overall) of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. De Vera, a Portland Timbers Academy product, played collegiate soccer at the University of Akron (2014-17), where he appeared in 60 matches (41 starts) and registered one goal and seven assists across four seasons. Additionally, De Vera played two seasons with the Portland Timbers U23 (2016-17), where he made 27 appearances in 1,670 minutes played.
Hanson, 19, played the previous two seasons (2017-18) for T2 after signing with the club as a 17-year-old. In 2018, the Ontario, Calif., native made 14 appearances (5 starts) and scored one goal, in helping T2 qualify for the first playoff appearance in club history. Hanson scored his first professional goal against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on June 17, 2018. During the 2017 USL season, Hanson appeared in 23 games (21 starts) and tallied two assists. Additionally, Hanson made his MLS debut for the Portland Timbers, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on July 23, 2017.
Ornstil, 24, who enters his third season with T2, appeared in 27 matches (16 starts) with three goals scored across two seasons (2017-18) for Portland since joining the club from Portland Timbers U23 in the PDL in 2016. During the 2018 USL regular season, Ornstil made eight appearances in 357 minutes played.
Diz Pe, 24, tallied one goal and two assists in 15 appearances (14 starts) during the 2018 USL regular season. At the international level, Diz Pe has earned 13 caps for the Cuban National Team. The Havana, Cuba, native was part of the team that won the 2012 Caribbean Cup, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in the Caribbean Cup Final.
Leeker, 23, played his first professional season with Real Monarchs SLC in 2018, logging six shutouts in 17 starts. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Leeker played collegiate soccer at the University of Memphis (2014-17), where he appeared in 47 matches and posted 10 clean sheets.
Wharton, 24, played the past three USL campaigns with Rio Grande Valley FC (2016-18), appearing in 63 games (53 starts) and tallying six goals and eight assists. In 2018, Wharton posted career-highs in goals (5) and assists (5). A native of Richmond, Va., Wharton played four years of collegiate soccer at the University of Virginia (2012-15), helping the Cavaliers win the 2014 NCAA National Championship.
