Omar Gonzalez
Gonzalez with the United States in 2013
Personal information
Full name Omar Alejandro Gonzalez[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-11) 11 October 1988
Place of birth Dallas, Texas, United States
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[2]
Position(s) Center-back
Team information
Current team
 FC Dallas
Number 3
Youth career
2001–2006 Dallas Texans
2005 IMG Soccer Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Maryland Terrapins 69 (7)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2015 LA Galaxy 180 (12)
2012 → 1. FC Nürnberg (loan) 0 (0)
2016–2019 Pachuca 59 (1)
2018–2019 → Atlas (loan) 28 (2)
2019–2021 Toronto FC 64 (4)
2022–2023 New England Revolution 32 (1)
2024– FC Dallas
International career‡
2005 United States U17 2 (0)
2007 United States U18 3 (2)
2010–2019 United States 52 (3)
Medal record
Representing  United States
WinnerCONCACAF Gold Cup2013
WinnerCONCACAF Gold Cup2017
Runner-upCONCACAF Gold Cup2019
Men's Soccer
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 12, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 30, 2019

Omar Alejandro Gonzalez (born October 11, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas.

A college soccer player for the Maryland Terrapins, he joined the LA Galaxy in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, and went on to play 180 regular-season games for them, winning the MLS Cup in 2011, 2012 and 2014. He was named the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2009 and the MLS Defender of the Year in 2011.

A full international since 2010, he represented the United States at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and four CONCACAF Gold Cups, winning the 2013 and 2017 edition.

Club career

Early life and college

Gonzalez played youth soccer for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club, and played college soccer at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he won the 2008 College Cup championship, was named to the NCAA/Adidas All-American First Team and First Team All-ACC and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2007.

LA Galaxy

Gonzalez was drafted in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the Los Angeles Galaxy. Gonzalez began a regular feature in the Galaxy lineup from the start, and scored his first professional goal on April 4, 2009, against Colorado Rapids.[3] He was named MLS Rookie of the Year for helping lead the Galaxy from a last-place finish in 2008.[4]

In the 2010 season, Gonzalez scored a total of three goals including in the second leg of the Conference Semifinals.[5]

Omar Gonzalez playing San Jose on August 21, 2010

In January 2012, Gonzalez was loaned to 1. FC Nürnberg of the Bundesliga until mid-February.[6] During his first training session with his new club, Gonzalez suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament to his left knee after a collision with national teammate Timothy Chandler. He immediately headed back to the U.S. to undergo surgery.[7]

In August 2013, Gonzalez became Galaxy's third Designated Player after signing a new multi-year contract, rumored to be an annual average of more than $1.5 million.[8] Gonzalez is the first pure center back to ever earn a Designated Player contract in Major League Soccer.[9]

Pachuca

On December 22, 2015, Gonzalez was sold to Pachuca of Liga MX, ending his seven-season stay with the Galaxy.[10] During their press conference with a Star Wars theme, Gonzalez was unveiled as Star Wars character Darth Vader in presentation.[11]

Gonzalez made his league debut on January 8, 2016, in a 1–1 draw against Club Tijuana at Estadio Caliente. In his debut, Gonzalez registered an assist to Franco Jara to tie the match in the 43rd minute. On February 7, 2016, Gonzalez scored his first goal for Pachuca late against Pumas UNAM to salvage a 1–1 draw.[12][13] Gonzalez won the Liga MX championship with Pachuca in his first season being a key player in the team's defense.[14] At the start of the Apertura 2016 Gonzalez changed jersey numbers and was given the number 4 after the loan of Hugo Isaác Rodríguez ended.

Toronto FC

Omar Gonzalez playing for Toronto FC against the LA Galaxy

On June 3, 2019, it was announced that Gonzalez would join Toronto FC from Pachuca once the transfer market officially opened on July 9. He was signed using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).[15] He made his debut for Toronto on 14 July, against rivals Montreal Impact.[16] He scored his first goal for the club on 29 September against the Chicago Fire.[17] In December 2021, Toronto FC confirmed that Gonzalez' contract option would not be picked up for the 2022 season.[18]

New England Revolution

On December 22, 2021, Gonzalez signed with the New England Revolution through the 2023 season.[19]

Gonzalez had a difficult start to the 2022 season for his new club. Through June 1st, Gonzalez, who was primarily signed as a backup but was forced into regular service due to injuries to Henry Kessler and Jon Bell, ranked in the bottom half of the MLS for defenders in successful pressures and blocks and in the bottom 25% for tackles, interceptions, and various other passing-out-of-the-back metrics. Gonzalez’s plus-minus was second-worst amongst center backs, and his plus-minus net was the worst amongst center backs at -1.08, according to stats from Football Reference.[20]

On April 9 Miami's Bryce Duke beat Gonzalez to cross to striker Leonardo Campana, who beat Brad Knighton from close range to give Miami a 3–2 lead in the 88th minute.[21]

On May 7, 2022, New England surrendered an 89th minute equalizer to Columbus Crew after Gonzalez lost his mark on Crew winger Erik Hurtado, who steered the ball into the net at point-blank range past Matt Turner.[22][23]

On May 28, 2022, Gonzalez' poor clearance landed at the feet of Union forward Mikael Uhre who equalized in the 77th minute, nullifying Gustavo Bou's 75th minute goal. Ultimately the match ended 1–1.[24]

Gonzalez experienced a "mini-resurgence" during the 2023 season.[25] He would score his first goal for the Revolution on September 16, 2023 in the 92nd minute of the Revolution's 2-1 loss to Colorado Rapids.[26]

International career

On August 10, 2010, Gonzalez made his debut for the United States' first team in a friendly against Brazil.[27]

On March 26, 2013, Gonzalez was given the start in central defense in the United States' 0–0 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. According to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN, Gonzalez "was the man of the match by a clear margin".[28]

Gonzalez was included on Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man roster for the 2014 World Cup. He started in the final group match against Germany, and the round of 16 match versus Belgium.[29]

On October 10, 2017, Gonzalez scored an own goal in the final game of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago which resulted in a 2–1 loss which prevented the United States from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.[30]

Personal life

Born in the United States to Mexican parents, Gonzalez holds a U.S. and Mexican citizenship.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played July 12, 2023[31]
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
LA Galaxy 2009 Major League Soccer 30140–––341
2010 282311010–333
2011 292401161–404
2012 14161–10–212
2013 27120–51–342
2014 22450–20–294
2015 3011010––321
Total 1801225231152–22317
Pachuca 2015–16 Liga MX 16160––10231
2016–17 29020–90–400
2017–18 140–82–30252
Total 59180829040883
Atlas (loan) 2018–19 Liga MX 282–80––362
Toronto FC 2019 Major League Soccer 1411010––161
2020 23010––10250
2021 273–1040–323
Total 64420204010734
New England Revolution 2022 Major League Soccer 170–1020–200
2023 1500020––170
Total 32000302000370
Career total 363193522532925045726

International

As of match played June 30, 2019. Scores and results list the United States's goal tally first.[32]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result CompetitionRef.
1.July 18, 2015M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States Cuba
4–0
6–0
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2.July 12, 2017Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United States Martinique
1–0
3–2
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup
3.July 19, 2017Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States El Salvador
1–0
2–0

Honors

University of Maryland

LA Galaxy[34]

Pachuca[34]

United States[34]

Individual[10]

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. June 11, 2014. p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Omar Gonzalez". New England Revolution. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 2 (Close Finish) - 4/4/2009 - Football - Are You Watching This?!". Areyouwatchingthis.com. April 8, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Galaxy soar from worst to first". Chinadaily.com.cn. October 27, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders 2 - 1". Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  6. ↑ Nick Firchau. "Galaxy hero Gonzalez loaned to FC Nurnberg". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Gonzalez tears ACL at Nurnberg". Soccer By Ives. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  8. ↑ "LA Galaxy sign defender Omar Gonzalez to Designated Player contract". LA Galacy. August 15, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Gonzalez DP deal valued at more than $1.5 million per season". August 15, 2013.
  10. 1 2 "LA Galaxy transfer defender Omar Gonzalez to C.F. Pachuca". MLSsoccer.com. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ Blum, Ronald (July 18, 2017). "After donning Darth Vader outfit, Omar Gonzalez becomes force". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Pumas 1-1 Pachuca (2/7/16)". February 7, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ex-LA Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez scores dramatic first goal for Pachuca". MLS. February 7, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Pachuca, Campeón del Clausura 2016". May 29, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Toronto FC signs U.S. international defender Omar Gonzalez". Toronto FC. June 3, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Montreal Impact Vs Toronto FC: 3 things to look for – Omar Gonzalez debut". MLS Multiplex. July 13, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Toronto drop crucial points in race for playoff seeding". CBC. September 29, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Toronto FC Announce Year-End Roster Decisions". Toronto FC. December 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (December 22, 2021). "New England Revolution sign defender Omar Gonzalez as free agent". Major League Soccer.
  20. ↑ "Revolution Not Getting Enough From Omar Gonzalez". June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Leonardo Campana's hat trick gets Inter Miami past Revs". April 9, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Recap: New England Revolution 2, Columbus Crew 2". May 7, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Anatomy of a Goal: Hurtado grabs a road draw with his first Crew goal". May 11, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Mikkel Uhre's equalizer gives Union tie with Revs". May 28, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  25. ↑ Bird, Hayden (September 17, 2023). "3 takeaways as the Revolution end a turbulent week with a 2-1 defeat against the Rapids". www.boston.com. The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Rapids pull off rare win, 2-1 over Revolution". www.espn.com. September 16, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  27. ↑ "United States vs. Brazil 0 - 2 (11/10/10)". Soccerway. August 10, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Women's International Friendly". Espn Fc. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Omar Gonzalez, starting for U.S. in World Cup". Kevin Baxter. June 30, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Trinidad and Tobago 2–1 United States". CONCACAF. October 10, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Omar Gonzalez Profile". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  32. ↑ "González, Omar". National Football Teams. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  33. ↑ "2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship" (PDF). Men's Division I Championship Brackets. National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 48. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  34. 1 2 3 Omar Gonzalez at Soccerway
  35. ↑ "TSG reveals Gold Cup Best XI". goldcup.org.
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