Greg Garza is somewhat of a journeyman.
The 20-year-old has been to places where he had try and learn a different language, or at least understand a little bit of it. He has played soccer in three different continents.
Garza, a native from Grapevine, Texas, has been to Brazil and Portugal, and now Mexico. All three were places where he had to take a step back to move forward in his soccer career.
Just when it appeared his career would get a jump start, he made a move. He left to another country.
His last move brought him to the U.S.-Mexico border region. Garza is now a defender for Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles.
Garza is a backup on the Xolos roster, at least during regular season tournaments.
He is slated to make his second consecutive start for Tijuana Tuesday night as the Xolos travel to face Merida FC in a Torneo de Copa match up. It will be the second leg of a first round contest. Both teams played to a scoreless draw last week in Tijuana. Garza started and played 90 minutes in that game.
Garza will take every opportunity to be on the field even if it means getting to play in the domestic tournament between Mexican First and Second Division teams. He will play even if it means he won't see the field in a regular season game match.
But you probably won't catch Garza underestimating the value of the Torneo de Copa and the experience that comes with it.
"The league (championship) and the Copa are equal," Garza told reporters after a Monday morning training session. "We have one objective and that is to win every game. The Copa is also about winning and to be the best team."
And it can also be the best opportunity for Garza to impress Xolos coach Antonio Mohamed.
Garza has done enough to catch Mohamed's eye. Enough that the native Texan needed only a recommendation from teammate Joe Corona for Mohamed to want Garza under contract.
Garza and Corona were part of the United States national team camp that preceded the Olympic Qualifiers in March. But they had been teammates in the past. Corona, the Xolos starting midfielder didn't waste time putting in a word for Garza. That was last year. Garza moved to Tijuana after a two-year stint with Portuguese side Estoril Praia. That was his second stop in Portugal. He previously played for Sporting CP's reserves squad.
Estoril offered a new contract but Garza didn't want it.
"Once I left Portugal, my wife and I bounced around for a while," Garza said in a personal blog. "I got to a point where I decided that a new challenge was needed and I wanted a new opportunity somewhere else. I had the opportunity to renew my contract for two more years in May of 2011, but I said no, to seek out that new chance."
That chance was Tijuana.
"It's been a long road to get here to Tijuana, for about five months I was unattached," Garza said. "That was hard, as you have to keep providing for your family, but it definitely paved the way for me to arrive in Mexican football."
Garza has said he is settling into playing in Tijuana and relocating yet to another city.
"I'm very comfortable in Tijuana." Garza said. "My wife and I moved here and although we had heard about some of the difficulties that the city had gone through in the past, you can tell it's changed now. From the very first day here, I've absolutely loved it. The city and people are amazing, and everything has been perfect so far."
So far, the Xolos have seen enough to give Garza a shot as a backup. But the kid who spent part of his childhood traveling to Brazil to play in high-end tournaments, could get a break this week and might see some time in a regular season match.
The Xolos will be without center back and team captain Javier Gandolfi as he serves a red card suspension after being ejected from Friday's 4-0 loss to Leon.
Garza could be in Mohamed's plans.
But for now, the kid with an American passport from a Mexican father will settle for a Torneo de Copa match.
After all, it might just be another important part of his journey.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
