U.S. U20 MNT defender John Requejo posts on Instagram that he signed with Club Tijuana. (h/t @Daniel_TorresA) pic.twitter.com/pOmr9V2Zsp— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) May 29, 2014 The US U-20 left back turned 18 on May 23. He was committed to UCLA, but instead it looks like he's joining the crew just south of the border.
A '96, so he adds another pro to the U20 pool. (He's been called in 3 of 4 possible times so far this cycle.)
John Requejo Jr. committed to UCLA coming in as the number two recruit in the country but later signed for Xolos in May. He's a defensive option but he can attack and cover a lot of space, and with Farias liking his U20's playing up to gain experience with the first team, a Requejo Jr. sighting at some point is very likely if a substitute for Garza is required. His college coach praised his defensive capabilities but also noted his ability to attack as a left winger, a position Farias isn't too big on, so it will be interesting to see how he fills his role when deployed. From Youth Yanks Abroad (93s or later)
Called into the US U20 camp for friendlies in California: Goalkeepers: Santiago Castano (New York Red Bulls; Union City, N.J.), Zack Steffen (Maryland; Dowlington, Pa.) Defenders (7): Michael Amick (UCLA; Sunnyvale, Calif.), Conor Donovan (Railhawks Academy; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Luis Martir (Chivas de Guadalajara; Los Angeles, Calif.), Chris Odoi-Atsem (Maryland; Mitchellville, Md.), John Requejo Jr. (Club Tijuana; Carpinteria, Calif.), Caleb Smith (Solar Chelsea SC; Arlington Texas), Jesus Vasquez (UANL Tigres; San Luis Obispo, Calif.) Midfielders (6): Fernando Arce (Club Tijuana, Chula Vista, Calif.) Russell Canouse (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim; Lancaster, Pa.), Marco Delgado (Chivas USA; Glendora, Calif.), Romain Gall (FC Lorient; Herndon, Va.), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland AFC; Santa Cruz, Calif.), Jacori Hayes (Wake Forest; Bowie, Md.) Forwards (5): Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Bradford Jamieson (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Benji Lopez (Arizona United SC; San Diego, Calif.), Andrija Novakovich (Reading FC; Muskego, Wis.), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union; Dresher, Pa.)
Requejo went the distance for the Club Tijuana U-20s in a 4-2 loss to Monarcas on Friday. He had made one half hour substitute appearance for them in the 2 games he was available prior to Friday.
In other Copa MX action, US U-20 international John Requejo Jr. made his professional first-team debut in Tijuana’s 0-0 tie away to Coras FC in Group 3.... Left back Requejo went the full 90 minutes... of the draw, which left Tijuana top of the group on five points from three games. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-scores-first-goal-almost-year-tigres-copa-mx
Joining the US U20s for a trip to Argentina: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/08/29/12/00/140829-u20mnt-argentina-roster
Entered in about the 55th in the Xolos friendly against Murcielagos FC: Club Tijuana substitution: (IN) Jimenez, Valenzuela, Requejo, Escoboza and García. (OUT)Castro, Gandolfi, Hernández, Hauche and Moreno.— Xolos (@xolos_en) December 28, 2015
I don't think it's a coincidence Arriola is continuing to start thru a dip in form, Orozco started too, Moreno earned his first bench minutes, and now Requejo his first bench appearance; all in the last week since Klinsmann visited him. Either he influenced him with a sales pitch, or they made some kind of deal, i.e.: I'll let them stay during some international windows even or will steer more talent toward Tijuana; if our players in the system get more of an opportunity.
76th Min. 2-1 GOOOAAAALLLL!!! @_JR2_ scores first goal for Tijuana in Torreon. #semifinal pic.twitter.com/MPsSBVKMjo— Xolos (@xolos_en) May 19, 2016
Preseason friendly vs. Santos Laguna: 62nd Min. Club Tijuana substitutions: Caraglio, Medina, @gmgarza24 (OUT); @Brvndonv , @_JR2_ and Rodriguez (IN) pic.twitter.com/vGbO56cvWe— Xolos (@xolos_en) June 25, 2016
Several Yanks in this preseason 1st team friendly: Line ups: Club Tijuana: 33. Federico Vilar, 3. Yasser Corona, 335. Angel Uribe, 2. John Requejo, 285. Miguel Rodríguez, 26. Juan Carlos Medina, 4. Gregory Garza, 10. Ignacio Malcorra, 28. Amando Moreno, 24. Luis Chavez, 7. Gabriel Hauche. Coach: Miguel Herrera. Cimarrones de Sonora: Sergio Arias (P), Darwin Torres, Juan de Alba, Erick pedroza, Martín Orozco, Jorge Gastelum, Aldo Polo, Miguel Vallejo, Cristian Ibanovsky, Othoniel Arce y Roger Rojas. Coach: Juan Carlos Chavez. FINAL SCORE: XOLOS 1, CIMARRONES 0
He's registered with the first team in the LigaMX database. That doesn't mean he can't get stuck in the U-20s, but hopefully he'll be in the mix for more minutes this year after making his league debut at the end of last season.