Jose Villarreal seemingly has a bright future ahead of him with the US national team and LA Galaxy. On the immediate horizon, however, Villarreal has chosen to focus on club over country.
The LA Galaxy Insider reported earlier this week that the Homegrown midfielder turned down a call-up from the US U-23 Olympic team for their first training camp of 2015 that will culminate with friendlies against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday and Denmark on Tuesday. He said he made the decision to focus on his increasing role with the Galaxy, who will travel to face D.C. United on Saturday (7 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
“I spoke to Bruce [Arena, Galaxy head coach] and said that I just wanted to stay and work with the team because [international call-ups] will come eventually,” Villarreal told LA Galaxy Insider on Monday. “I personally wanted to stay because I didn’t want to kill the rhythm that I have with the team, and have to come back and need to win my spot again.
“[International play] will come with the way that I’ve been playing,” he added. “I just have to keep being consistent with the form that I have. The U-23s are a tough group to get into, with a lot of talented players, but I think that if I keep improving then I can make that team.”
Villarreal, who returned to the Galaxy late last season after a loan to Liga MX side Cruz Azul, has started all three games this season, scored a goal and recorded an assist. The 21-year-old has regularly featured in the US youth ranks.
