# Jacob Montes

Jacob Christian Montes Hoff (born 20 October 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Belgian Challenger Pro League club RWD Molenbeek. Born in the United States, he represents the Nicaragua national team.

## Club career
### Portland Timbers

Montes began his career with the FC Florida Prep Academy, whose alumni include Julian Gressel and Niko Hämäläinen. In October 2015, he trialled with English side Manchester United, and in February 2016, he spent a week with German club Borussia Dortmund.
In 2016, he joined the Portland Timbers Academy. Montes scored eight goals in 25 games for the Under-17/18 team and was subsequently signed to United Soccer League side Portland Timbers 2. He made his professional debut on March 25, 2017, as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 2–1 loss to Real Monarchs. Montes made a further seven appearances and was named the Timbers' 2017 Academy Player of the Year.

### Georgetown University

After one season with the Timbers, he opted to play college soccer at Georgetown University for four years. In 2019, he scored 11 goals as he captained the team to its first NCAA National Championship. With a further five assists, he was named Big East Conference Midfielder of the Year. Montes rejected multiple contract offers from the Portland Timbers during his collegiate career.
In March 2021, Montes completed a trial with an undisclosed Premier League team who had been tracking him for several months. A month later, he opted out of pre-season training and notified Major League Soccer that he did not intend to play professionally in the United States for the 2021 season. On May 20, his MLS rights were made available to other clubs following the expiration of the Timbers' ownership, and later picked up by the New England Revolution.

### Crystal Palace

On May 25, it was announced that Montes would join Premier League side Crystal Palace on a one-year deal, subject to international clearance. He completed the move without being eligible for a British work visa, meaning he would have to leave the club temporarily on loan.

### Belgian loans

On July 31, 2021, Belgian First Division B Waasland-Beveren announced that they had acquired Montes from Crystal Palace on loan for one year, though this arrangement was ended in January 2022 and Montes joined another Belgian team, RWD Molenbeek, again on loan.

## International career

On October 7, 2016, Montes made his under-19 international debut for the United States in a 4–0 friendly victory against Liga MX side Club Tijuana. Montes is also eligible to play for Nicaragua through his paternal family. In March 2021, he discussed a potential call-up to the Nicaragua national team for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers later that month.
Montes made his international debut for Nicaragua in a friendly match against Panama on June 10, 2023.

## Career statistics

    As of July 13, 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Portland Timbers 2 | 2017 | USL Championship | 8 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 |
| Treasure Coast Tritons | 2018 | USL PDL | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Treasure Coast Tritons | 2019 | USL League Two | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Treasure Coast Tritons | Total | Total | 12 | 0 | – | – | 12 | 0 |
| Waasland-Beveren | 2021–22 | Belgian First Division B | 9 | 1 | — | — | 9 | 1 |
| RWD Molenbeek | 2021–22 | Belgian First Division B | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 30 | 1 | – | – | 30 | 1 |

### International goals

Scores and results list Nicaragua's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 11 September 2023 | Estadio Nacional de Fútbol, Managua, Nicaragua | Barbados | 5–0 | 5–1 | 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B |
| 2 | 13 October 2023 | Wildey Turf, Wildey, Barbados | Montserrat | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B |
| 3 | 17 November 2023 | Wildey Turf, Wildey, Barbados | Barbados | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B |
| 4 | 5 June 2024 | Estadio Nacional de Fútbol, Managua, Nicaragua | Montserrat | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |