An Esai Romero header sealed a fiery victory over City Soccer Society
Villarreal are through to the knockout stages of TST after a heated game against City Soccer Society.
The Yellows went into the game knowing a win would seal their place in the Round of 32, after a win and a loss on the opening day of the tournament.
Their opponents City Soccer Society also needed a win, after losing their first two matches.
The side from Miami started strong, having more chances, and stopping football from being played in a game that was marked by fouls and yellow cards.
After a loose ball by Verza in midfield, City Soccer Society sent a long ball into the box, and after pinball in the area, Connor Rezende’s powerful effort flew past Jorge Rives in the Villarreal goal to make it 0-1.
All of a sudden, qualification looked difficult for the Yellows. Without threatening too much, they went into the half-time break a goal down.
The second half started where the first ended, with a lot of niggly fouls, with Cesar Murillo, David Fuster and Oscar Romero all booked early on.
Making the most of the fouls, Martí Prera stepped up and fired home the equaliser from a direct free-kick from far on the half-hour mark.
The striker from Vila-real, living the experience of a lifetime representing his hometown club, scored his second of the tournament and celebrated wildly, as he brought Villarreal level.
The Yellows got a boost when Daniel Gonzalez was sent off for a second yellow after a foul on Alberto Ramos just before the end of normal time, which ended 1-1, with the target score being 2.
Just two minutes into target score time, Rives found Alberto free on the left, and the defender played a great cross into the back post. Esai Romero was free and headed home, ensuring elation for the Yellow Submarine as they reached the TST Round of 32, where they will face Hoosier Army at 1:15pm local time (7:15pm Spanish time).
Starting line-up: Rives, A. Ramos, Murillo, C. Arzo, Fuster, Verza, Xisco Nadal
Also played: Galas, Martí Prera, O. Romero, E. Romero, Hinojosa, Powell, Font, Chavez
Goals: Rezende (0-1, m.17), Martí Prera (1-1, m.30), E. Romero, (2-1, m.42).
