CARSON, Calif. – The mythical game is on the line and it’s come down to one penalty kick to decide the outcome. The question is who will take it.
Will it be Jaime Villarreal, an up-and-coming talent on LA Galaxy II? Or will the honor go to his older brother Jose, a star in the making on the Galaxy’s MLS side?
At least on this topic the brothers agree on the answer.
“Me,” Jaime said with a grin. “I think I’m the better PK shooter. I have the upper hand. Maybe free kicks he has the upper hand, but PK’s I think I have it.
“We’ll have to see, you know?”
Added Jose, “It’s tough. I feel like he’s a better PK shooter than me; he works a lot on his PK’s in training. He’s more composed.
“But I wouldn’t let that game go to PK’s. I’d definitely put one away in regulation.”
Yes, there is a sibling rivalry between the Inglewood natives, although not to the extreme one might find in other families. The Villarreal brothers, separated by just under two years, are intent on realizing the ultimate – to play for the same MLS team.
“The dream is to play together and let mom and dad experience that,” Jaime said. “Hopefully one day we can play on the same team like we’ve done before.
“It will be the best thing to happen to us.”
Jaime, who was born in June of 1995, became the first Galaxy Academy player to sign with the club’s USL Pro side, Galaxy II, last July. Jose, born in September of 1993, signed with the senior club as a Homegrown Player in December, 2011 and has 39 career appearances to his credit.
Jaime has been described as a hard-working box-to-box central midfielder whereas Jose is regarded as more of mercurial attacker with a lethal left foot.
“Jose is one of those guys that has the ability to make great plays,”
Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo said. “Not that Jaime doesn’t. He does, but Jaime is just more of a consistent all-around good player whereas Jose has a little bit more attacking traits.”
They usually drive in to training together, and much of the time is spent comparing notes on games and/or workouts. Jose, for example, often will emphasize work ethic, and Jaime will soak up the advice like a sponge.
“He’s just got to keep working hard all the time,” Jose said. “He has a great mentor like Curt; he helped me out my first year with the team. He’s in good hands.
“He’s been playing pretty well and last year had a good run with Galaxy II. I think he’ll be fine. I tell him every day to stay hungry and stay motivated.”
Jaime said he couldn’t be prouder when he sees his older brother do well with the senior side. Jose scored in a season-opening victory over the Chicago Fire and had arguably one of the most memorable goals in recent Galaxy history when he salvaged a 2-2 in Vancouver on July 28, 2012 with a stunning, left-footed strike in the 87th minute.
“There’s no better thing for a brother to see his own brother be successful,” Jaime said. “I know he’s worked hard every year.”
Ask the Villarreals who is the better player and they’ll agree on that answer, too.
“He is,” Jose said. “Definitely better. He stole all of my moves, and he’s added his to mine.”
“I think I am, too,” Jaime said with a grin. “We’re both competitive. Right now he has the upper hand. Hopefully I can bounce back and be the better one again.”
