United States left-back Jorge Villafaña admitted after winning the 14th Gold Cup title by beating Jamaica 2-1 in the final that coach Bruce Arena had been the key to success.
“He is a great professional, who knows how to make the most of each player, also gives him all the confidence, and places him in the position where he thinks he is doing the most”, said Villafaña, 27, at the conclusion of the match. Tonight was played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The international defender, who plays for Santos Laguna of the Mexican League, also stressed that the way he knew how to work and combine the young players that led the national team for the first round of groups and then the arrival of the veterans to From the quarters was another factor that allowed them to win.
“It made a good combination and that was noticed in the way the team went more as the tournament progressed,” said Villafaña. “I am very grateful to Bruce (Arena) for the confidence he put in me and the opportunity he gave me to compete and win the tournament.”
Villafaña admitted that he was excited to have won a major trophy and the way the team fought in the final against a difficult and complicated rival.
“It was a match full of intensity, suffered, in which Jamaica was always well organized behind and his counterattack was very dangerous,” said Villafaña. “But in the end we were able to get the winning goal, which is the important thing.”
As for his participation with the United States team, he reiterated that he was very pleased and proud to have been given the opportunity to be Gold Cup winners and have found a way to win the tournament.
“You can not always win a title like this and therefore I am very happy and happy about what the whole team achieved,” said Villafaña. “It is very important to see the way we struggle to find the way to triumph.”
Villafaña said that now it was time to enjoy the United States being the new Gold Cup champion, the sixth time the team of the Stars and Stripes, but the first for the defense of Mexican origin.
“I do not always have that opportunity and therefore I am doubly happy and grateful to the directors of the United States Federation for having trusted me,” stressed Villafaña. “Now my family is waiting for me, just like the celebration that we will all have together”.
