PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced the signing of Edgar Guerrero as the club’s first eMLS competitor. Guerrero, whose gamer tag is x_thiago_silva_o, joins the Timbers as part of Major League Soccer’s newly launched eMLS platform, a competitive EA SPORTS FIFA 18 league featuring 19 MLS teams launched in January.

“We’re very bullish on eMLS and the growing impact of esports for our club and industry,” said Cory Dolich, Timbers senior vice president of business operations and marketing. “As part of that, we’re excited to sign Edgar and have him represent the club. He’s a strong competitor who has performed at a high level across a variety of FIFA esports competitions.”

Guerrero was selected after the Timbers reviewed more than 100 potential candidates. A Timbers fan currently living in McMinnville, Ore., Guerrero signed with Club América in June 2017 as an esports competitor. Across 18 esports seasons, Guerrero has won various titles, including four first-division titles, two Copa Pro titles, two SuperCopa Pro titles as well as a Mexican Cup championship title and two Continental Cup titles playing FIFA. He currently ranks among the top 20 in the United States and top 35 in the Americas in FIFA 18.

eMLS will feature eMLS Cup, MLS’s elite competitive gaming event, and each club’s competitor will vie for an automatic berth in the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs and a chance to be crowned FIFA 18 World Champion at the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018 this August. eMLS Cup will debut this April at PAX East, a gaming culture festival in Boston from April 5-8 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.