Quick Facts
Biography
Omar Alejandro Gonzalez (born October 11, 1988) is an American soccer player who plays for Pachuca in Liga MX and the US Men's National Team.
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, 2013 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 two CONCACAF Gold Cups, winning the 2013 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 NSCAA/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 Los Angeles Galaxy. Gonzalez began a regular feature in the Galaxy lineup from the start, and scored his first professional goal in April 4, 2009 against Colorado Rapids. He was named MLS Rookie of the Year for helping lead the Galaxy from a last-place finish in 2008.
In the 2010 season, Gonzalez scored a total of three goals including in the second leg of the Conference Semifinals.
In January 2012, Gonzalez was loaned to 1. FC Nuremberg of the Bundesliga until mid-February. 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 US to undergo surgery.
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. Gonzalez is the first pure center back to ever earn a Designated Player contract in Major League Soccer.
Pachuca
On December 22, 2015, Gonzalez was sold to Pachuca of Liga MX, ending his six-year stay with the Galaxy. During their press conference with a Star Wars theme, Gonzalez was unveiled as Star Wars character Darth Vader in presentation and was given the number 30.
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 43th minute. On February 7, 2016, Gonzalez scored his first goal for Pachuca late against Pumas UNAM to salvage a 1–1 draw. Gonzalez won the championship with Pachuca C.F. on his first season being a key player in the team's defense. 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.
International career
On August 10, 2010, Gonzalez made his debut for the United States' first team in a friendly against Brazil.
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".
Gonzalez was included on Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Gonzalez started in the final group match against Germany, and the round of 16 match versus Belgium.
International goals
- Scores and results list the United States's goal tally first.
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | July 18, 2015 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland |  Cuba | 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
Honors
Club
University of Maryland
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 2008
LA Galaxy
- MLS Cup (3): 2011, 2012, 2014
- Supporters' Shield (2): 2010, 2011
- Western Conference (playoffs) (4): 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
- Western Conference (regular season) (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
Pachuca
- Liga MX (1): Clausura 2016
International
United States
- CONCACAF Gold Cup (1): 2013
Individual
- MLS Rookie of the Year: 2009
- MLS Defender of the Year: 2011
- MLS Best XI: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
- "2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship" (PDF). Men’s Division I Championship Brackets. National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 48. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Omar Gonzalez profile at Soccerway