International Round-Up
Since Monday’s update, the three Goats have all played one final game to finish up their international duty and are now returning home to Chivas USA camp. Here’s a look at how they did.
Jorge Villafaña: United States U-23s
The Game: US U-23’s 1-0 Alajuelense. Villafaña started and played all 90 minutes as the U-23’s rounded out their camp with a friendly win in Alajuela against the Costa Rican club on Tuesday.
Big Picture: In his second camp with the U-23’s (he was first called-up in December), Villafaña began to emerge as a regular starter at left-back. He played significant minutes in friendlies against the full US National Team and against Central American club teams. Sueño will hope he made enough of an impression on coach Caleb Porter to be a part of Olympic qualifying in March.
Heath Pearce: United States
The Game: US 1-0 Panama. Pearce came into Wednesday night’s friendly match in Panama City as a substitute in the 41st minute.
Big Picture: It was a good camp for the 27-year-old defender. Pearce had a chance to show coach Jurgen Klinsmann what he brings to the national team during weeks of training, and by playing a part in two American shutouts. Although he’s a center defender for Chivas USA, Pearce played mostly left-back in this camp, a notoriously shallow position for the American team.
Alejandro Moreno: Venezuela
The Game: Venezuela 1-3 Mexico. Moreno entered Wednesday night’s match in Houston as a 74th minute substitute.
Big Picture: By wearing the captain’s armband on Saturday, Moreno showed he’s still a key veteran player for his country. Although these two January matches were friendlies, Venezuela has already begun 2014 World Cup qualifying, and Moreno is trying to help lead La Vinotinto their first ever World Cup.