The two left backs played together as teenagers and will now face off for a major trophy as a new-look national team beckons
Greg Garza and Jorge Villafana have a past. The two count each other as long-time friends dating back to their time as teammates with the youth national teams. They're players who have taken similar paths from Mexico back to the U.S. and, ultimately, into the U.S. national team.
On Saturday, the two will face off in the present as Garza's Atlanta United hosts Villafana and the Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup final. It likely won't be the last time the two do battle as, with a new manager finally in place, the defenders could very well be competing for the national team's long-problematic left back spot in the very near future.