I'm not sure how reliable the source is (the Twitter account has 87K followers) but it's being reported now by a few other journalists and making the rounds. Cruz Azul tiene en la mira a Michael Farfan (Philadelphia), Rafael Baca (Earthquakes) y José Villareal (Galaxy LA). -Mexicanos en MLS-— Amantes Del Fut (@Amantesdelfut_) December 20, 2013 I think Liga MX would suit both of them quite well but I doubt the Galaxy will part with Villarreal on the cheap.
RT@Jayy_villa: New opportunity for me to prove myself. Hope all goes well. Missing my family already. [Edit: That tweet apparently taken down since he posted it]
From an LAG perspective, I can see why they wouldn't want to give up Villareal as he's a great talent and offers depth. From Villareal's perspective, he's stuck behind two of the top three players in MLS in Keane/Landon which isn't great for development. Add to that McBean is crunched for playing time as well. With Keane/Landon it's hard to adequately develop both Villareal and McBean in somewhat limited mins. They're also playing Zardes at his less preferred position due to the roster. I could see them selling.
ESPN Deportes is reporting it like it's a done deal already. ESPN report says that Jose Villarreal, Rafael Baca and Michael Farfan all took a medical at Cruz Azul today.— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) December 20, 2013 It also mentions that it's possible that one or more of them (Baca, Villarreal, and Farfan) could play with Cruz Azul Hidalgo which plays in the second division. If I'm not mistaken, Cruz Azul is one of the bigger clubs in Mexico. On quick glance, they've recently acquired Marco Fabian on loan, have Mariano Pavone (Argentine) at striker, Chaco Gimenez at RM, Colombian international Joao Rojas at LM, and Cameroonian international Achille Emana at CAM. It looks like it would be really tough for Jose to get minutes at those spots, so I would guess that he'll spend some time in 2nd division. Michael Farfan looks like he'll have a better shot at getting minutes with El Tri veteran Gerardo Torrado and Alejandro Castro in the CDM spots. I should also add that Cruz Azul's new manager is the guy who coached Mexico's gold medal winning team so I'd like to think he'll give Villarreal ample opportunities.
Unless there gunna play Farfan at a position he doesnt really play I dont see it. He's an CAM. Also Villarreal would be going to his fav childhood club so that would be cool for him
Don't particularly rate Farfan, so I am not really upset with this move for him. I think Villarreal is making a colossal mistake. LA Galaxy to Cruz Azul is a lateral move at best. Probably not even a lateral move though. Also, if the rumors of Villarreal joining the second team are true, that makes the move even worse. Why on earth would he be moving to an inferior club and moving from the first team of the better team to the reserve team of the worse team? If he needed playing time, he could have been traded to another MLS team. Before you tell me that I am overreacting, I was the first person on the Altidore thread to say that his move to Sunderland was an awful move. I was then told that I was crazy, and that moving to Sunderland was a great move for Jozy. Well, look who is right now. This potential move by Villarreal is awful. He won't be getting playing time with the first team of Cruz Azul.
He can root on his childhood club all he wants from the reserve team. He isn't getting minutes with all the experienced internationals in that squad.
He made something like $50K last season and was 12th on the team in minutes. I would think he could improve on the former figure in Mexico.
I'd like the move better for Villarreal if he wasn't tied to LA in CCL because it'll hurt LA's depth and he would probably for sure be used by Cruz Azul in that tournament if he wasn't tied. I would trust his ability to get more quality minutes in Mexico than at an MLS club that has a constant obligation to have blingy DP players occupying the forwrad and attacking mid spots. The Mexican clubs are generally pretty good about playing youngsters. I think there are rules that require the teams to give minutes to the young players, plus there is the Copa MX. So if he shines in training he will get chances. I don't think it's a huge stretch for Villarreal to find his way to regular minutes. He just has to make the most of his opportunities like an Arriola has. If he bombs a couple of times, he might find himself buried though. But that's good. Sink or swim. I like it.
Is Rafael Baca allowed to re-enter the country if he leaves? Not being snarky, actually curious. He doesn't have a Green Card and at one time his status in this country was somewhat dubious, legally speaking.
Someone in the MLS player movement thread said Villareal's move would be a loan until May. I haven't seen anything about that anywhere else though.
Since CM Jair Pereira moved to Chivas, I think Farfan or Baca have a good chance at getting some minutes there. If not they'll get minutes in CC, Copa MX. Villarreal will too probably even sub 20 league which is better than playing minutes in USL pro.. but I do think he has what it takes to get first team minutes at Cruz Azul. Can play in the hole or as ST/SS. Hopefully not on the wing he's not good there
Official: http://www.cruzazulfc.com/index.php/474/team/0/1 @bshredder says its a 1 yr loan deal for all with option to buy
This is great. He wasn't effective at the Galaxy and is probably 5th behind Donovan, Keane, Zardes, and McBean in the line of strikers. Liga MX probably suits his style better, and probably doesn't have as deep of a forward corp at Cruz Azul (although I speculate).
Speaking "scientifically" (for lack of a better term) as an observer it will be really interesting to see how mid-career, non MNT-level MLS Yanks do at this level. It's pretty unusual.
In correction to previous post - Rojas isn't a Colombian international but rather an Ecuadorian international.
Farfan and Villarreeal will both be on 1-yr loans with options to buy -- is that what I'm understanding??? Huh. Completely out of leftfield, IMO. Particularly surprised that Villarreal was so easily cast off by LA especially with the opportunity for matches with LD gone to Brazil. However, the move does make sense if Villarreal can get minutes and compete. I would not prefer CA Hidalgo but the 2nd division does beat a loan in USL Pro. As for Farfan, he's so hit or miss for me. I just can't quite put me finger on it or get a real pulse on his game. He's a decent little player I just question if he can make it a CA's 1st team.
Farfan is mainly a attacking mid but can play on the wings and CM. Scored this golazo against Real Madrid a lil while back. He's just a lil inconsistent. I think he's good enough for Cruz Azul but we'll see.
Villareal had an even more impressive goal against Real Madrid. Did Baca at some point too? This don't make no sense.
Hopefully Villarreal is competing for first team minutes. This loan move makes no sense if he is not going to be playing in the reserves. He would have gotten more minute next season. I wonder about what exactly is going on with the Galaxy. Usually teams don't let go of prospects so easily.