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Tijuana defender Greg Garza eyeing move to Major League Soccer

Club Tijuana and U.S. national team defender Greg Garza is looking to move from Liga MX to MLS, the player told Goal.com's Ives Galarcep.

The 25-year-old left-back has been with the Xolos since 2012, eventually becoming a starter. But after a brief loan to Atlas, he underwent hip surgery in the fall of 2015.

After a long recovery, the Grapevine, Texas native was limited to just two appearances this season because of a concussion and a new Liga MX restriction on the use of foreign-born players. The Columbus Crew SC own Garza's discovery rights in MLS.

"The main thing is to get playing again," said Garza, who has nine international caps but has not appeared for the U.S. this year.

"I think MLS is the best decision for me to make and the best opportunity to get back in the mix, and to get back into the national team picture."

Liga MX has limited matchday squads to 10 foreign-born players since May.

Garza, who began his career with Portugal's Estoril Praia, falls into that category even though he's a dual citizen thanks to his Mexican-born father. This new reality apparently has the Xolos willing to listen to American clubs.

"The league's new foreign player policy caused me to take a big hit," Garza said. "It opens the door to go back to the U.S."