PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers defender Jorge Villafaña has been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for a pair of international friendlies against England and Italy during the FIFA international break, it was announced today.
Villafaña, 29, will depart for international duty following Thursday’s Western Conference Semifinals match at CenturyLink Field against Seattle Sounders FC.
The USMNT will face England at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Thursday, Nov. 15, beginning at 12 noon (Pacific). The match will be broadcast on ESPN2 and UniMás. The United States will then square off against Italy at Luminus Arena in Genk, Belgium, on Tuesday, Nov. 20, beginning at 11:45 a.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast on FS1 and UniMás.
Villafaña has earned 19 caps (15 starts) for the U.S. Men’s National Team, including six appearances (6 starts) during qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Additionally, since making his senior team debut for the United States on July 26, 2017, Villafaña helped the team win the Concacaf Gold Cup trophy in 2017, making four appearances (4 starts) in the tournament. Villafaña led the USMNT with 15 appearances in 2017, becoming just the third USMNT player in the modern era to lead the side in caps during his debut year.
Since rejoining the Timbers in August, Villafaña has made eight regular-season appearances (7 starts), recording one assist against Minnesota United FC on Sep. 22. He also has logged 180 minutes in two starts in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
