GUADALAJARA, Mexico – At the Leones Negros training complex, 25 miles outside of Guadalajara in the middle of the scenic Primavera Forest known locally as “Guadalajara’s lung,” there is one young player that has earned the nickname Joya (Jewel).
Jesus Vazquez was born and raised in the Paramount area of Los Angeles, California, and became the first player from the recently-promoted club’s youth system to debut in Liga MX in more than 20 years when he went 37 minutes in Universidad de Guadalajara’s 3-0 loss against Chivas on Sept. 7.
“It was great, especially [debuting] against Chivas,” 19-year-old Vazquez told MLSsoccer.com after training in Guadalajara this week. “Everyone wants to play against or for Chivas. It was like a dream. [My family] were very happy and proud.”
Vazquez first featured for Leones Negros’ youth sides in early 2011, but his journey to professional soccer is far from standard. It came via a lucky break during a family vacation.
“I came for vacations to visit my grandma,” said Vazquez, who added that he had never been to Guadalajara before. “A friend of my dad said there were tryouts here in [Universidad de Guadalajara], so I just went for fun. Then things became more and more serious. The guys from the club talked to me and said they saw a future, so I just stayed.”
Vazquez lived in the club’s training center outside the city as he adapted to life in Mexico and left his life at Annenberg High School behind. His parents – both from Guadalajara – younger brother and sister stayed in Los Angeles.
A player that describes himself as a No. 10 who likes to be creative, possesses good vision and uses a wide range of passing, Vazquez returned to the United States to finish high school in mid-2012 and then had to make a critical decision about a year later.
“When I finished high school, I had two options: to try out with Chivas USA or come back over here, because they called me and told me that I had a chance,” explained Vazquez, who goes by the nickname "Chuy."
The persistence of the Universidad de Guadalajara staff seems to have paid off for both club and player. Since moving south permanently, Vazquez featured nine times in the Ascenso MX (Mexico’s second division) in the Apertura 2013 and played 15 matches (seven as a starter) for Leones Negros in their promotion-winning Clausura 2014.
He started both legs of the promotion playoff final against Estudiantes Tecos last May, which gives an indication of the kind of regard he is held in by Leones Negros coach Alfonso “Poncho” Sosa.
“He told me to never give up and that he sees a great future in front of me and to keep working hard,” explained Vazquez, who trains with the first team and has players such as Ecuador international Fidel Martínez and former Argentina defender Leandro Cufre also calling him Joya.
The influx of players before this Apertura 2014 season started has limited the opportunities for Vazquez, but three Copa MX matches, nine U-20 starts and that Liga MX debut mark a good return in the top flight for a player celebrating his 20th birthday on Thursday.
At the international level, Vazquez has so far apparently gone under the radar. He has not had contact from either the Mexican or American federations about potentially suiting up for them and misses out on eligibility of next year's U-20 World Cup in New Zealand by two and a half months.
Nevertheless, Vazquez could be an option for either country as the 2016 Olympics approach, and he – a fan of both Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey – is not shy in saying he would like to play for the Stars and Stripes in the future.
“My first choice is the USA,” he said. “I’ll go for the USA if there is a chance.”
