Orlando Ortega: The Unheralded Midfielder Shaping Costa Rica’s 2026 Attack

For years, Costa Rica’s midfield was synonymous with Celso Borges—the metronomic passer who dictated tempo from deep. But as the 2026 World Cup cycle began, a new name quietly started appearing on team sheets: Orlando Ortega. At 26, Ortega is not a flashy player. He does not dominate highlight reels or produce viral moments. Yet his fingerprints are all over Costa Rica’s improved attacking output. Since breaking into the starting eleven in early 2025, Ortega has completed 87% of his passes in qualifiers, while averaging 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes—the best among Costa Rican midfielders. Those numbers alone would earn him attention, but his true value lies in how he has reshaped the team’s build-up structure.

The Unseen Architect Behind Costa Rica’s Resurgence

Modern football analytics often struggle to capture the quiet influencers—players whose contributions are about positioning, timing, and decision-making rather than volume. Ortega fits that profile. In 10 World Cup qualifiers during 2025, he attempted 8.7 progressive passes per 90, a figure that places him among the top midfielders in CONCACAF. Progressive passes are those that move the ball at least 10 yards toward the opponent’s goal, and Ortega’s willingness to play forward quickly has given Costa Rica a dimension they lacked in the previous cycle.

“He sees passes that others don’t,” said a scout who has followed Costa Rica’s qualifiers. “Not just through balls, but the kind of diagonal switch that forces the opposition to shift their block. That’s what opens up space for the wingers.” Indeed, Ortega’s passing range has allowed manager Luis Suárez to deploy a more fluid 4-3-3 formation, with Joel Campbell enjoying a late-career revival as a central forward. Campbell’s movement off the shoulder of defenders has been complemented by Ortega’s willingness to thread passes into the half-spaces.

Ortega’s transition from a box-to-box midfielder to a deep-lying playmaker was not immediate. Early in his career, he was known for energetic runs into the penalty area and occasional goals. But as Costa Rica sought a replacement for Borges’s creative output, Ortega adapted. He dropped deeper, improved his scanning habits, and began dictating play from between the center-backs. The result: Costa Rica’s expected goals (xG) per match rose from 1.1 when he was absent to 1.6 when he started—a significant jump at international level.

How Ortega Replaced Celso Borges’s Creative Void

When Borges departed the national team setup after the 2022 World Cup, Costa Rica lost a player who averaged 1.3 key passes per 90 in that tournament. Ortega has nearly doubled that figure, registering 2.1 key passes per 90 in qualifying. But the difference is not just volume—it’s the type of pass. Borges was a safe passer, often recycling possession laterally. Ortega, by contrast, attempts 8.7 progressive passes per 90 compared to Borges’s 5.9 in 2022. This willingness to break lines has fundamentally altered Costa Rica’s attacking shape.

Ortega’s role in the 4-3-3 is that of a single pivot with license to step forward. When Costa Rica build from the back, Ortega drops between the center-backs, forming a temporary back three. From there, he can launch diagonal balls to the wingers or drive forward into space. His set-piece delivery has also been a weapon: four of his assists in 2025 came from dead-ball situations, including two from corners and two from free kicks. This dead-ball threat adds another layer to Costa Rica’s attack, especially against compact defenses that clog central channels.

However, replacing Borges was never just about numbers. Borges brought experience and composure under pressure. Ortega, still relatively new to the role, sometimes rushes his decisions. Against higher-pressing teams like Mexico and Canada, his pass completion under pressure drops to 81%, which is respectable but not elite. Still, the trajectory is promising. At 26, Ortega has time to refine his game before the 2026 tournament.

Tactical Flexibility: Ortega’s Dual Role Under Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez, Costa Rica’s manager, has shown a willingness to adapt his system based on the opponent. That flexibility has been enabled by Ortega’s versatility. In the early stages of qualifying, Ortega played as a left-sided 8 in a 4-3-3, tasked with covering the flank and arriving late in the box. But as Costa Rica struggled to break down low blocks, Suárez shifted Ortega to a deeper 6 role in March 2025. The change was subtle but effective: Ortega began averaging 3.2 combined tackles and interceptions per game, while his passing range became even more influential from the base of midfield.

The shift allowed Yeltsin Tejeda, traditionally a defensive midfielder, to push higher and press opponents in advanced areas. Tejeda’s energy higher up the pitch has helped Costa Rica win the ball back more quickly, reducing the burden on the back line. Ortega’s discipline in the deep role has been key—he rarely ventures forward recklessly, maintaining shape and offering a safe outlet for recycling possession. This dual role has made Costa Rica harder to predict, as they can switch between a 4-1-4-1 and a 4-4-2 diamond without substituting players.

“Ortega is the kind of player who makes the manager look smart,” said a tactical analyst who has studied Costa Rica’s games. “He doesn’t need to be told twice. He understands spacing and timing intuitively.” That intelligence is visible in his positioning: when Costa Rica lose the ball, Ortega often drops to fill gaps between the center-backs, acting as a sweeper. Against teams that counter quickly, this habit has prevented several dangerous transitions.

The Numbers Behind His Impact on Costa Rica’s Attack

The statistical evidence for Ortega’s impact is compelling. In the 10 qualifiers he started in 2025, Costa Rica averaged 1.6 xG per match, up from 1.1 when he was on the bench or absent. That 0.5 xG increase is roughly equivalent to adding half a goal per game—a massive swing in international football where margins are thin. Ortega himself created 12 big chances in those matches, defined as opportunities where the receiver is expected to score. His assist total of four was slightly above his expected assists (xA) of 3.2, suggesting his delivery is sustainable and not a fluke.

Perhaps more telling is his ball security. Ortega averages only 1.1 turnovers per 90 in the attacking third, a sign that he rarely gives the ball away in dangerous areas. For a midfielder who plays progressive passes, that is an impressive ratio. His composure under pressure is reflected in his passing accuracy: 81% of his passes under pressure find a teammate, compared to 76% for Mexico’s Edson Álvarez, a player often cited as CONCACAF’s best defensive midfielder. Ortega’s ability to retain possession while moving the ball forward is a rare combination.

Yet numbers only tell part of the story. Costa Rica’s attacking improvement also owes to the emergence of young wingers who stretch play and create space for Ortega to operate. The interplay between Ortega and right winger is particularly promising; they have developed a chemistry that produces quick one-twos and overlapping runs. This synergy has made Costa Rica more dangerous in the final third, even if they still lack a prolific goalscorer.

Scouting Ortega’s Weaknesses: Pressing and Depth Concerns

No player is without flaws, and Ortega has clear areas for improvement. His success rate against high presses is 72%, which is below the average for elite midfielders in CONCACAF. Against teams like the United States, who apply intense pressure on the ball, Ortega can be forced into rushed passes or turnovers. In the 2-1 loss to the USA in September 2025, Ortega completed only 78% of his passes—well below his usual standard—as the US midfield targeted him aggressively.

Aerial duels are another concern. Ortega wins just 38% of his aerial contests, placing him in the bottom 20% among CONCACAF midfielders. This vulnerability is exploited by opponents who play long balls toward him or target him at set pieces. Against physical teams like Canada, Ortega’s lack of aerial presence can leave Costa Rica exposed. His recovery runs after losing possession also need improvement: he averages 2.1 per 90, a figure that suggests he sometimes struggles to track back quickly enough.

In 1v1 defensive situations, Ortega is often beaten. His tackling technique is solid, but he lacks the explosive acceleration to recover if an opponent turns him. This weakness is most evident when he is isolated on the counter-attack. Suárez has tried to mitigate this by pairing Ortega with a more defensive-minded midfielder, but the issue remains. For Costa Rica to progress deep into the 2026 World Cup, Ortega will need to improve his defensive work rate, particularly against elite opposition.

How Ortega Compares to CONCACAF’s Top Midfielders

To understand Ortega’s standing, it helps to compare him with CONCACAF’s best. Mexico’s Edson Álvarez is the gold standard for defensive midfielders, averaging 7.1 progressive passes per 90 and 61% defensive duel success. Ortega’s progressive pass rate of 8.7 is higher, but his defensive duel win rate of 52% lags behind. Against Jonathan dos Santos, Ortega holds a slight edge in key passes (2.1 vs. 1.9) but trails in defensive actions. The USMNT’s Tyler Adams, when fit, offers a more dynamic pressing profile than Ortega, though Adams’s passing volume is lower.

Ortega’s passing accuracy under pressure (81%) stands out as a strength. It is higher than Álvarez (76%) and comparable to Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio (82%). However, Eustáquio contributes more defensively, with more interceptions and tackles per game. The takeaway is that Ortega is a specialist: a creator first, defender second. In a tournament setting, teams may exploit his defensive limitations by targeting his zone with direct runs. Costa Rica’s system must protect him, much as other teams protect their chief playmakers.

Still, Ortega’s ability to dictate tempo and find passes that others don’t is a rare commodity in CONCACAF. If he can improve his aerial duel win rate and defensive positioning, he could become a truly elite midfielder for the region. The raw tools are there; the refinement will come with experience and targeted training.

Three Adjustments That Could Elevate Ortega for 2026

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, three specific adjustments could help Ortega reach the next level. First, he needs to increase the weight of his passes when bypassing the first press line. Currently, his longer passes are often floated, giving defenders time to react. A driven pass with more pace would arrive quicker and create more chances for runners. Second, his scanning frequency—the number of times he looks over his shoulder before receiving the ball—currently sits at roughly 4.1 looks per 10 seconds. Elite midfielders like Luka Modrić average around 6. Improving his scanning would help Ortega anticipate pressure and make quicker decisions.

The third adjustment involves his partnership with a mobile striker. Costa Rica’s current forward line lacks a player who consistently makes runs in behind. If Suárez can integrate a striker with pace, Ortega’s through balls would become more dangerous. That would also force defenders to drop deeper, creating space for the midfield. Finally, specific gym work to improve his aerial duel win rate is essential. Ortega is not tall, but he can improve his timing and jumping technique. A 10% increase in aerial success would make him less of a target for opponents.

These adjustments are achievable within a year. Ortega’s work ethic is praised by teammates, and his willingness to adapt has already been demonstrated. If he can address these weaknesses, he could become one of the standout midfielders of the 2026 tournament. For now, Costa Rica fans can take comfort in knowing that their attack is in steady hands—even if those hands are not always in the spotlight.

The Cost of Dependence: What Happens When Ortega Is Neutralized?

While Ortega’s influence is undeniable, Costa Rica’s growing reliance on him carries risks. In qualifiers where Ortega was substituted early or marked tightly, the team’s attacking output dropped noticeably. For instance, against Panama in October 2025, Ortega was man-marked by a dedicated midfielder, limiting his touches in dangerous areas. Costa Rica managed only 0.7 xG in that match, well below their average with Ortega. This raises a key question: can the team adapt if opponents successfully neutralize Ortega?

One potential countermeasure is to develop a secondary playmaker who can share the creative burden. Midfielder Brandon Aguilera has shown flashes of creativity in limited minutes, but he lacks Ortega’s consistency. Alternatively, Suárez could shift to a double-pivot system, pairing Ortega with a more defensive partner to free him from defensive duties. However, that would sacrifice the attacking thrust of the current 4-3-3. The trade-off is clear: more defensive stability versus less creative freedom. Costa Rica’s coaching staff must weigh these options carefully, as tournament opponents will have studied Ortega’s role extensively.

Another approach is to vary the build-up patterns, using full-backs or wingers as additional creators to reduce dependence on Ortega. Against the USA, when Ortega was pressed heavily, Costa Rica’s full-backs attempted more forward passes, but with lower success rates. This highlights the need for a Plan B that does not rely solely on Ortega’s passing. Developing that plan will be crucial for the 2026 World Cup, where elite teams will target key players ruthlessly.