Villarreal in TST million-dollar seven-a-side with Reina, legends and Ochocinco | OneFootball

Villarreal are competing at TST in Cary, North Carolina, the only Spanish side at the prestigious million-dollar seven-a-side tournament.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, this is their third straight entry at an event squeezing 159 matches into six days, with 76 teams across men's, women's and mixed fields and three prizes of one million euros.

They led their opener against Cagliari through Xisco Nadal before losing 1-2. Their third group match is on Thursday at 23.00.

In Group F with Cagliari, Club América and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Villarreal are targeting the knockouts with a roster of former players. Reina and Europa League winner Mario Gaspar head a group including Mateo Musacchio, Víctor Ruiz, Tomás Pina, David Fuster and Nadal, coached by César Arzo.

North America is central to the club's growth, with nine academies in the United States and five in Canada working with more than 5,000 youngsters. TST offers a youth-friendly format to boost Villarreal's profile.

More than 50,000 fans attended from all 50 US states, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom, and NBC carries decisive games. In parallel, the club are running nine clinics for eight to 16-year-olds, with registered players able to be selected for a week at the Spanish base, whose academy has produced Rodrigo Hernández, Pau Torres and Gerard Moreno.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo