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USA's Alex Freeman Makes La Liga Debut In Villarreal's Win Over Espanyol
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USA's Alex Freeman Makes La Liga Debut In Villarreal's Win Over Espanyol

#Alex Freeman #Villarreal #La Liga #USMNT #Espanyol #MLS #Soccer debut #World Cup

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Alex Freeman made his La Liga debut for Villarreal as a second-half substitute following his move from Orlando City.
  • Villarreal defeated Espanyol 4-1, ending a three-match winless run and moving level with Atletico Madrid for third place.
  • Goals were scored by Mikautadze, Pepe, and Moleiro, alongside an own goal by Espanyol's Salinas.
  • The match highlights Freeman's candidacy for the USA World Cup squad following his MLS Defender of the Year honors.

📖 Full Retelling

American right-back Alex Freeman made his professional debut for Villarreal CF on Monday during a commanding 4-1 victory over RCD Espanyol at the Estadio de la Cerámica, marking a significant milestone in his career following a high-profile winter transfer. The 20-year-old defender entered the match as a second-half substitute to help secure a win that snapped Villarreal's three-game winless streak and bolstered the club’s pursuit of a top-three finish in La Liga. Freeman’s appearance comes just months after his $4 million move from MLS side Orlando City, as he seeks to solidify his position in the United States Men’s National Team ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Villarreal dominating from the outset to hand the Catalan side their heaviest defeat of the current campaign. Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a spectacular scissor kick following a setup by Tajon Buchanan. The lead was doubled shortly after when Jose Salinas inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. The momentum continued into the second half as Nicolas Pepe fired a low strike from distance, and Alberto Moleiro capped off a swift counterattack to make it 4-0 before the hour mark. Espanyol managed a late consolation goal through a Leandro Cabrera header, but they remain without a league win since December. For Freeman, the son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman, the debut serves as a critical audition for international duty. Having won the MLS Defender of the Year award last season, his transition to European football is being closely monitored by USMNT scouts. The victory moves Villarreal level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid, while also maintaining a game in hand. Meanwhile, Espanyol’s defensive struggles continue as they conceded four goals for the first time this season, leaving them in sixth place and searching for answers to their recent slump.

🏷️ Themes

Sports, Football, International Transfers

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📄 Original Source Content
USA right-back Alex Freeman made his debut for new club Villarreal, coming on as a second-half substitute in the Spanish La Liga team's win on Monday. Villarreal scored twice in each half to hammer Espanyol 4-1 in La Liga and hand the Catalan club its heaviest defeat of the season. World Cup Watch: Does Freeman Make USA's Squad? Freeman joined Villarreal from MLS side Orlando in a January deal worth approximately $4 million upfront, potentially rising to over $7 million with performance-based add-ons. Freeman, the son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, won MLS Defender of the Year honors last season and is in the mix to be part of the USA's World Cup squad later this summer. Villarreal's win ended a poor run which had seen Villarreal take one point from its previous three games. The win lifted it to equal on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and seven ahead of Real Betis, although Villareal has a game in hand on both. Georges Mikautadze gave Villarreal the lead 10 minutes before halftime when he met Tajon Buchanan's perfectly cushioned header and fired home a spectacular scissor kick. Jose Salinas’ own goal six minutes later doubled Villarreal’s lead. Nicolas Pepe added the third five minutes into the second half when he rifled a low shot from outside the box after some skilful footwork. Alberto Moleiro made it 4-0 five minutes later when he finished off an incisive counterattack. Leandro Cabrera’s glancing header from a Cyril Ngonge corner with two minutes remaining was Espanyol’s only response. Barcelona-based Espanyol has not won since before Christmas and has gone six matches without a win in the league. Monday's result marked the first time this season it conceded four goals in a game. It remained in sixth place. Reporting by The Associated Press.

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