Former Charleston Battery players Forrest Lasso and Justin Portillo made their Major League Soccer debuts this past weekend.
Lasso, who played for the Battery from 2015-2017, made his MLS debut for FC Cincinnati on Sunday night against the New England Revolution. Lasso started and played ninety minutes in the 1-0 win picking up his first clean sheet of the season and helping FC Cincinnati to its second consecutive win and shutout.
Lasso signed for FC Cincinnati prior to the start of the 2018 USL Championship season where he was featured as a key piece of the team’s backline making 30 starts in 31 appearances. Lasso played 2,784 minutes in 2018, the third highest total on the team while being named USL Defender of the Year.
In his final year with the Battery, Lasso scored 6 goals in 27 appearances (26 starts) for the club. He finished second on the team in clearances (153) and blocked shots (28) and was named to the 2017 USL All-League First Team.
Portillo made his debut as a substitute for Real Salt Lake in a 2-1 away loss to LAFC on Saturday night. He played nine minutes after coming on for Tate Schmitt in the 75th minute.
In a controversial decision, Portillo picked up a straight red card in the 84th minute after a foul on Diego Rossi. Portillo, who was challenging for the ball, extended a high elbow that caught Rossi under the chin resulting in the LAFC forward falling to the ground. LAFC would score a stoppage-time goal to secure the win.
Portillo joined the Battery in 2014 playing four seasons with the club before signing with Real Monarchs prior to the 2018 USL Championship season. He made 99 appearances for the Battery across all competitions scoring 19 goals and providing 10 assists.
Portillo started every match for the Battery in 2017 playing a total of 2,970 minutes, tied for most on the team. He finished his final year in the black and yellow with six goals and six assists proving to be one of the most important midfield players on the team creating 63 chances during the season.
