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Greg Garza
- DOB August 16, 1991
- Age 21
- Place of birth Grapevine, Texas
- POSITION Defender/Midfielder
- HEIGHT 5'8"
- WEIGHT 155
- U.S. CAPS
- CLUB Tijuana
- ASN 100 Rank 81
- Previous ASN 100 Rank 85
- Youth Experience U-20
- ASN QUESTIONNAIRE Read now
Left back-midfielder Greg Garza always wanted to be a pro—ideally sooner rather than later. "My preference growing up was to be a professional soccer player as quickly as possible," the small, quick player wrote on Goal.com in 2012.
He succeeded, spending some of his youth with São Paulo in Brazil and more time with Sporting Clube de Portugal, although the latter club didn't offer him a senior contract. As a result Garza signed with the controversial sports-marketing agency Traffic and ended up at Estoril Praia in 2010. He trained there, making his way on to the United States' U-20 squad in 2011. He played three matches during the failed qualifying tournament for the 2011 U-20 World Cup and returned to Portugal. Garza finally found a more permanent home at Club Tijuana. (Joe Corona recommended the Xolos take a look at Garza.)
In Mexico’s Liga MX, Garza is competing for a starting spot with the revitalized Edgar Castillo. He hasn't found the type of playing time he would like, but Garza is still young. He is on the fringes of the U-23 squad, and he's still only 21. Expect to see Garza fight for time in Tijuana and with the Stars and Stripes' youth side. He's a professional now, but he wants more.—NOAH DAVIS
Noteworthy Reads
Garza Joins the Ranks of Tijuana (MLSSoccer.com)Tijuana Is the Perfect City to Live in (Goal.com)
Defender Greg Garza in Tune with U-23 MNT Setting, System (USSoccer.com)
