American soccer playerFor the White House intruder, see Omar J. Gonzalez.

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 21, 2022
‡ 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 defender for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.

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.

Contents

• 1 Club career
  • 1.1 Early life and college
  • 1.2 LA Galaxy
  • 1.3 Pachuca
  • 1.4 Toronto FC
  • 1.5 New England Revolution
• 2 International career
• 3 Career statistics
  • 3.1 Club
  • 3.2 International goals
• 4 Honors
• 5 References
• 6 External links

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 sop*re 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. 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.

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. 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.

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 seven-season stay with the Galaxy. During their press conference with a Star Wars theme, Gonzalez was unveiled as Star Wars character Darth Vader in presentation.

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 *ist 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. Gonzalez won the Liga MX championship with Pachuca in 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.

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). He made his debut for Toronto on 14 July, against rivals Montreal Impact. He scored his first goal for the club on 29 September against the Chicago Fire. In December 2021, Toronto FC confirmed that Gonzalez' contract option would not be picked up for the 2022 season.

New England Revolution

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

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 World Cup, Gonzalez started in the final group match against Germany, and the round of 16 match versus Belgium.

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.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played May 21, 2022

International goals

As of match played June 30, 2019. Scores and results list the United States's goal tally first.

Honors

University of Maryland

• NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship: 2008

LA Galaxy

• MLS Cup: 2011, 2012, 2014
• Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011

Pachuca

• Liga MX: Clausura 2016
• CONCACAF Champions League: 2016–17

United States

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2013, 2017

Individual

• MLS Rookie of the Year: 2009
• MLS Defender of the Year: 2011
• MLS Best XI: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2017

References

External links

• Omar Gonzalez – Liga MX stats at MedioTiempo.com (in Spanish)
• Omar Gonzalez at Major League Soccer
• Omar Gonzalez at National-Football-Teams.com