LA Galaxy Acquire Defender Jorge Villafana
January 12, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - LA Galaxy News Release
LOS ANGELES - The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has acquired defender Jorge Villafaña and a 2021 Natural 1st Round MLS SuperDraft Pick (16th overall) from the Portland Timbers in exchange for the Galaxy's 2021 Natural 1st Round SuperDraft Pick (8th overall). Portland may receive additional Allocation Money based on Villafaña's performance with the Galaxy.
The 31-year-old defender joins the Galaxy after having made 188 career appearances in MLS for Chivas USA (2007-13) and the Portland Timbers (2014-15, 2018-20), scoring 10 goals and adding 24 assists.
"Jorge is a talented veteran defender with extensive experience playing at a high level in Major League Soccer," said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. "We are confident in his ability to contribute to our club on the field, in our locker room and in our community. We are excited to welcome Jorge home and have him join our club."
A product of Anaheim, Calif., Villafaña departs from the Portland Timbers after helping lead the club to 2015 MLS Cup and the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament victories. He originally joined MLS in 2007 with Chivas USA before a trade to the Portland Timbers ahead of the 2014 season. Following their MLS Cup victory in 2015, Villafaña joined Liga MX side Santos Laguna, where he remained until 2018 when he returned to Portland.
Villafaña made over 100 appearances and scored three times for Portland. His 18 MLS Regular Season assists are the fifth most in Timbers MLS history and his 102 appearances are the ninth most of any Timbers player during their MLS era.
In addition to his experience in MLS and Liga MX, Villafaña has represented the U.S. Men's National Team 21 times in addition to various U.S. Youth National Team sides.
Name: Jorge Villafaña
Position: Defender
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Born: Sept. 16, 1989
Age: 31
Last Club: Portland Timbers
Birthplace: Anaheim, Calif.
Nationality: United States
LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2021 Major League Soccer season are now available. LA Galaxy fans can go to lagalaxy.com/since96 to secure their 2021 LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships. In addition to visiting lagalaxy.com/since96, fans can secure 2021 Season Ticket Memberships by emailing ticketplans@lagalaxy.com.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from January 12, 2021
- Inter Miami CF Partners with HYPE Sports Innovation to Solve the Sports Industry's Greatest Challenges for 2021 - Inter Miami CF
- Real Salt Lake Names Ignacio "Nacho" Hernandez Goalkeeper Coach - Real Salt Lake
- LA Galaxy Acquire Defender Jorge Villafana - LA Galaxy
- Timbers Acquire First-Round Pick in 2021 MLS SuperDraft from LA Galaxy in Exchange for Defender Jorge Villafana - Portland Timbers
- Impact Acquires Forward Sunusi Ibrahim - Club de Foot Montreal
- Timbers Sign Defender Larrys Mabiala to Multi-Year Contract Extension - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps FC Launch BMO Atlantic Canada Development Centre - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Real Salt Lake Signs RSL Academy Goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup - Real Salt Lake
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
