ACQUIRED: On January 22, 2025 via full transfer from Ukrainian top-flight side Shakhtar Donetsk. Kelsy is under contract through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029 and will occupy a U-22 Initiative slot.
2025: Made season debut in home opener against Vancouver on February 23.
CAREER: Kelsy joins Portland for his second MLS season. In his debut 2024 campaign, Kelsy tallied six goals in 23 appearances (16 starts) for FC Cincinnati while on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, helping the Eastern Conference side to a third-place finish in league standings. Of his six goals, three were scored with his head. Notably, Kelsy led all MLS teenagers in scoring last season, earning himself a spot in the 2024 MLS class of 22 Under 22. Kelsy appeared in two of Cincinnati’s 2024 postseason matches and converted his penalty kick in a shootout against New York City FC on November 9.
INTERNATIONAL: Internationally, Kelsy has made 16 appearances for Venezuela’s U23 and U20 sides, registering four goals at the youth level. His most recent goal for Venezuela’s U23s came as the game-tying goal in the 100th minute of a 2-2 draw against Argentina’s U23s on February 5, 2024.
