CARSON, Calif. -- Jose Villarreal looked like he may be sidelined for an extended period after exiting the LA Galaxy's 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution last month, but the 21-year-old striker is already back on the training ground and hoping to make a return as soon as next week's match with Columbus Crew.
Villarreal suffered a left shoulder sprain after a hard fall on the turf in the early stages of LA's 2-2 draw at Gillete Stadium with a but not before delivering a backheel assist on Gyasi Zardes' opener. Less than a week later, Villarreal was back on the training field on Friday, and already hopeful of making an early return.
"I'm definitely going to be cautious but I feel good about it. [On Friday] I came out and did a little running, passing, and 5v2 which felt really good," Villarreal told LA Galaxy Insider on Friday. "I feel like I'm on the right track to get back early. The way things are looking, I'll be back training and hopefully get ready for Columbus."
After suffering a frustrating hamstring injury that hampered his early season success, Villarreal is confident that he can re-gain his poised touch if he gets a chance to play against the Crew.
"For me, injuries happen and it doesn't have to mean that you're not fit. This was just something that happened that I couldn't avoid. I think that I just need to focus and prepare the right way, and if I do that, I think that I can be ready for Columbus. There's no doubt in my mind that with the training staff that we have that I can't come back quickly."
