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Hearts of Pine add pair of rising talents, title-winning veteran to roster

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 12/28/24, 11:45AM EST

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Jaden Jones-Riley, Mikey Lopez, Ollie Wright head to Portland ahead of club's inaugural campaign


Jaden Jones-Riley (left), Mikey Lopez (center), Ollie Wright (right) head to Portland ahead of club's inaugural campaign | Image Credit: Portland Timbers, Birmingham Legion FC, Huntsville City FC

PORTLAND, Maine - Portland Hearts of Pine today announced a trio of additions to its inaugural roster, pending league and federation approval. Hearts are set to add rising defender Jaden Jones-Riley, former MLS Cup champion Mikey Lopez and productive winger Ollie Wright ahead of their inaugural 2025 USL League One campaign.

Jaden Jones-Riley played collegiately at the University of Dayton between 2019 and 2022, earning All-Atlantic 10 Conference Second Team honors as a senior in 2022. After graduating, the defender was a member of One Knoxville SC's inaugural 2022 squad in USL League Two.

The 23-year-old was drafted with the 73rd overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers. Across all competitions, the Tallahassee, Fla. native made 47 appearances for MLS NEXT Pro's Portland Timbers 2 between 2023 and 2024, totaling five goal contributions. Jones-Riley appeared for the Timbers' first team in the 2023 Coachella Valley Invitational and was an unused substitute in Portland's 2-0 victory against LAFC in MLS play in Sept. 2023.

"What excites me about Maine is the anticipation surrounding the club and how the team deeply resonates with the local culture," Jones-Riley said.

31-year-old MLS and USL Championship veteran, Mikey Lopez, will enter his 13th season as a professional when he joins Portland Hearts of Pine in 2025. The Dallas-born midfielder won 2013 MLS Cup and the 2015 U.S. Open Cup with Sporting Kansas City.

Lopez found success early in his career, guiding the University of North Carolina to a national championship in 2011 while simultaneously earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors.

Lopez was selected with the 14th overall pick by Sporting Kansas City in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Between 2013 and 2015, Lopez made 15 appearances with SKC. In 2014, Lopez was sent on a pair of loans to USL Championship sides Orlando City SC and OKC Energy FC, making nine and five appearances for the clubs, respectively.

Lopez spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons in MLS with New York City FC, totaling 30 appearances for NYCFC across all competitions. The midfielder returned to the USL Championship in 2018, spending one season with San Antonio FC before enjoying a successful five-year stint in Alabama with Birmingham Legion FC.

A former United States youth international, Lopez made eight appearances for the United States U-20 Men's Youth National Team. The midfielder represented the United States in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2013 Concacaf U-20 Championship.

"Honestly, the biggest thing that pushed me to sign with Hearts was Bobby Murphy," Lopez said. "I'm really excited to be working with him again and playing for him. I love that guy."

25-year-old English midfielder Ollie Wright joins Portland after spending a pair of seasons in MLS NEXT Pro with Huntsville City FC.

Born in London, Wright developed in the academies of English Premier League sides Fulham FC and Brentford FC. In 2016, Wright moved to the United States to play collegiately at NCAA Division II's St. Mary's University. Wright spent three seasons with the Rattlers, earning Lone Star Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2019. Wright also spent time in USL League Two with Corpus Christi FC in 2019.

Wright made his professional debut in 2021 with USL Championship side San Antonio FC, later joining fellow Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC in 2022. Through a pair of seasons in the Championship, Wright totaled 18 appearances and two assists.

Wright's professional career took off in 2023 with Huntsville City FC in MLS NEXT Pro. Through two seasons, the midfielder became the club's all-time appearances leader (51) and is second in club history with 15 goal contributions.

"I promise to do everything in my power to help give the state of Maine a team to be proud of, both on and off the field," Wright said.


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