Julio Cascante (pictured) leaves a Saprissa side for which he competed in five all-time Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League games. (Photo: Mexsport)
PORTLAND, Oregon -- The Portland Timbers announced Tuesday the acquisition of central defender Julio Cascante from Costa Rican power Saprissa on a transfer.
After making his professional debut in the Costa Rica Primera Division with Orion FC in 2011, the 24-year-old spent three seasons Universidad de Costa Rica (2013-16), before joining Saprissa ahead of the 2016 Invierno.
In the past two seasons with the Monstruo Morado, Cascante made 51 league appearances, while also competing in five Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) games. He made a pair of starts against the Timbers in 2016/17 SCCL as Saprissa advanced to the quarterfinals.
The 6-foot-2 Cascante was part of a backline that helped Saprissa capture its 33rd Primera Division championship (2016 Invierno). During the 2017 Invierno, he made 17 appearances, ranking among the team leaders for goals scored (6).
At the international level, Cascante has earned one cap for Costa Rica, entering as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 win over visiting Nicaragua in an international friendly on Dec. 15, 2015.
