CARSON, Calif. – Jose Villarreal admits that he’s still adapting to the style of play and the elevation in Mexico, but the LA Galaxy Homegrown Player says that he has no regrets about going on a year-long loan to Liga MX side Cruz Azul.
Villarreal, who is participating in the United States U-21 training camp, is currently with Cruz Azul’s Liga de Ascenso club Cruz Azul Hidalgo for the duration of the 2014 Clausura tournament. While the 20-year-old admits that the season has been a “frustrating” experience, he’s confident that he can get into Cruz Azul’s first team during the Apertura tournament later this year.
“It’s a different level of soccer, you just have to adjust and deal with whatever comes up,” said Villarreal who admits that he’s been playing primarily with the team’s U-20 team as well as Hidalgo. “I’ve been in and out of the rotation, but I’m looking to get back with the first team. This season has been tough to get minutes; I just want to work hard as I look toward the next preseason so that I can get in with their first team and get more minutes.”
But does he think that he'll be staying with Cruz Azul when loan deal expires at the end of the year?
“No regrets at all with the move. I felt like I needed to do it. I'll always be a Galaxy player,” said Villarreal. “There's curveballs but I'll expect it to play out. Hopefully I'll get some minutes and if It happens that I stay then I'll stay but if I don't then I’ll bring whatever I can once I get back to LA.”
