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The SBI Podcast: Episode 17 (with special guest Jose Villarreal)

JoseVillarreal (Getty)

By IVES GALARCEP

There aren’t many American players who have enjoyed a better past month than Jose Villarreal.

The 19-year-old sensation was one of the top standouts on the U.S. Under-20 National Team in its recent successful qualification for the Under-20 World Cup. He returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy and enjoyed a dream performance in the Galaxy’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg, scoring a beautiful goal in the team’s win vs. Herediano.

Villarreal is the latest guest on The SBI Podcast, and he discusses everything from his time with the U.S. Under-20s to the USA-Mexico rivalry to being mentored by Robbie Keane.

Co-host Garrett Cleverly and I discuss the big week MLS teams had in CONCACAF Champions League, as well as the current state of the U.S. Men’s National Team. We also look ahead to this weekend’s MLS matches and touch on the top match-ups during Rivalry Week, including the Seattle Sounders-Portland Timbers clash and the New York Red Bulls-D.C. United showdown.

Give Episode 17 of The SBI Podcast a listen after the jump:

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What did you think of the show? Impressed with Villarreal’s ability at such a young age? Agree or disagree about DaMarcus Beasley being a viable option for the U.S. Men’s National Team? Which MLS match are you most looking forward to this weekend?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I have watched Puebla on Univision around three times in the last month. DM still has the ability to get around players, he still has the ability to pass from the wing and he still has the ability to score important goals in the Liga MX. He played with heart in the US win over MX and I believe he proved then he still had the chops to make the USMNT. What dismays me is Jurgen Klinsmann falling into the same trap as Bob Bradley in that he has started to call up the same players based mainly on reputation rather than current form.

    Of course we do have the dichotomy of Jozy Altidore who plays fantastic for the club and lousy for the country., but DM has proved in his past call-ups with the USMNT that he is a team player and will do whatever needs to be done to win.

    To those who think he has a tag of one who turns over the ball frequently; looking at the Puebla games, he has acquitted himself quite well for his club, passing well, playing D and more importantly, holding up the ball, or making good runs.

    The man definitely deserves a look see. He plays the wing very well and if I recall, in the Honduras game we had no good experienced wingers.

    Bring on the Beas.!!

    Reply
  2. agree 100% on Beasley. did anyone else see that Bedoya alluded in a post on facebook he is getting a call up? i also agree with the comments on Jones and Bradley, i really hope Klinsmann actually does that.

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  3. Definately Villareal is a very talented player with a bright future. As far as Beasely, we have enough turnover machines we don’t need to bring back old ones from the past. Bedoya is having a great year, he should get a look. Also maybe Castillo can be brought on in midfield as a second half sub.

    Reply
  4. perhaps the best Galaxian on the field Wednesday when Herediano had no answer for him and were not ready for him. His holdup play was stellar and his workrate top notch, on top of his obvious skills and amazing goal which busted open that game. He and Robbie have the chance to really build something special imo

    Reply

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