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LA Galaxy acquired full-back Jorge Villafana in a trade with the Portland Timbers, the teams announced Tuesday.
In addition to the 31-year-old, the Galaxy will receive the 16th pick in the Portland draft, while the Timbers will get the Galaxy’s 8th pick. Portland will also receive award money for performance-based achievements with LA.
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“Jorge is a talented veteran defender with extensive experience playing at a high level in Major League Soccer,” LA Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese said in a team statement. “We are confident in his ability to contribute to our club on the field, in our locker room and in our community. We are excited to welcome Jorge home and have him join our club.”
The deal satisfies the goals of both teams. For the Galaxy, it would give them an established winger to bolster a defense that was the second-worst in MLS in 2020 with 1.95 goals allowed per game. In the meantime, Portland would create space within its salary budget. While the MLS Players Association did not provide salary data in 2020, the 2019 information revealed that Villafana earned $ 600,000 in base salary and $ 617,500 in guaranteed compensation.
There is also something for the gamer. Villafana hails from Anaheim, California, and the move is an opportunity to play closer to home.
“Jorge has been a role model professional for the club and I would like to thank him and his family for their commitment and contributions to the Timbers,” Timbers GM Gavin said of Villafana. “His performance and success at this club will leave an indelible memory and we wish him and his family all the best.”
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Villafana burst into the professional ranks in 2007 with the now-defunct MLS team Chivas USA after winning a reality competition called “MLS Dream.” But Villafana finally proved his worth, making 99 league, cup and playoff appearances over seven seasons, while scoring seven goals.
Villafana was traded to Portland after the 2013 campaign, and was part of the team that claimed the 2015 MLS Cup, with 64 league, playoff and cup appearances and scoring two goals.
The title celebrations had barely concluded when Villafana was sold to Liga MX’s Santos Laguna for a transfer fee of just under $ 1 million. The versatile defender was a constant contributor to The Warriors, making 76 appearances and helping the team to the 2018 Clausura title.
The Timbers acquired Villafana in August 2018, where he resumed his role as the team’s left back. He made 63 more league, playoff and cup appearances, scoring two goals. He was part of the team that reached the 2019 MLS Cup final in which the Timbers lost 2-0 to Atlanta United.
At the international level, Villafana has represented the United States at the U20, U23 and senior levels. He has made 21 appearances with the full team, the last of which was in 2018.
Information from ESPN FC correspondent Jeff Carlisle was used in this report.
Source: espn.co.uk
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