Jose Villarreal notches brace for US U-20s, will stay with team

The United States U-20 team has played its way into the semi-finals of the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Jose Villarreal notched a brace in that 4-2 quarterfinal win over Canada, and has elected to stay with the team for the March 1st semi-final which rules him out for the LA Galaxy's home opener.

Jose Villarreal said he would remain with the U.S. instead of returning to LA. Luis Gil said he will return to RSL for opening weekend.

— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) February 27, 2013

The win qualifies the US youth national team for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup which will take place June 21st to July 13th in Turkey. This will likely be time the Galaxy will be without Villarreal.

The pair of goals puts Villarreal at three total for the tournament. He had a near goal in the 34th minute, and then finally broke through five minutes before halftime. Mario Rodriguez found space on the left flank and found Villarreal slicing to the six yard box unnoticed. Villarreal was able to side foot the entry pass into the goal from eight yards out putting the US up 2-1.

Man of the match Wil Trapp managed to put the US up 3-1 before halftime, and then Villarreal notched the final goal of the match coming back after the break. Villarreal beat his marker into space then fired a low shot to the far corner. The goal was Villarreal's seventh all time for the US U-20 team.