Soccer (FIFA)
fromESPN.com
2 days agoUSMNT's Alex Freeman completes Villarreal transfer from Orlando
Alex Freeman transferred from Orlando City to Villarreal in LaLiga, strengthening his prospects for the U.S. World Cup roster.
Freeman, 21, has seen his value skyrocket over the last year, not only making 30 league and playoff appearances for the Lions -- in which he scored six goals and added three assists -- but making 13 appearances for the United States and scoring two goals. It was during last summer's Gold Cup that Freeman made a considerable impression on U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Playing in the right half-space of Gregg Berhalter's attacking setup, the first-year MLS man is the straw that stirs the Fire's drink. Zinckernagel thrives on the dribble, ranking in the 89th percentile in FBref's data for successful take-ons among his positional peers, and could be the perfect piece to glide through Orlando City's defensive block and break into the box.
"I started off trying out as a winger, as a striker, so it was different," reflected the 21-year-old. "But I would lie if I said it didn't drive me forward. "It gave me time to look back and know that I need to do more, that maybe I wasn't good enough and needed to work even harder. It gave me the energy to train more and better myself. "It's a derby and we know we've got quality but we've also got to fight and want it more than them. We know how much is on the line."