ASN: Jonathan Gonzalez, 18, off to Nice Begin with Monterrey

The Santa Rosa, Calif., native and U.S. U-20 midfielder made massive strides in the course of the Liga MX Apertura preseason and has labored his method into Monterrey’s first staff, incomes three begins to this point this season.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
July 31, 2017
8:00 AM

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THE LIGA MX APERTURA is underway and the primary two weeks have introduced a promising story for Individuals: United States U-20 midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez has not solely made Monterrey’s first staff however has additionally earned three begins.

Gonzalez, 18, has been with Monterrey since 2014 and has steadily progressed via the group. A turning level, nevertheless, got here this summer time when he performed very effectively in preseason, incomes him a spot on the primary staff. Up to now he has performed primarily as a box-to-box central midfielder however his versatility to play throughout the midfield, both on the wings or as a playmaker, offers head coach Antonio Mohamed a number of totally different choices.

On July 21 he began Monterrey’s opening recreation, a scoreless draw in opposition to Morelia. Midweek, he went a full 90 in a 3-0 win over Celaya in Copa MX. On Saturday he began in a 1-0 win over Veracruz, though he was substituted out within the first half attributable to a tactical adjustment after a teammate was proven a crimson card.

“For being here three years, I feel like I’ve given all of me in that time,” Gonzalez advised American Soccer Now from Mexico. “Sadly final preseason I pulled my groin and could not go to preseason with the staff and I felt like that slowed me down a bit—understanding I used to be able to competing with them. I additionally had an excellent preseason a pair weeks in the past and I have been in high kind so I feel that is why I am right here proper now.

“I wouldn’t use the word nervous, more like anxious,” he added, referencing making his Liga MX debut in opposition to Morelia. “Yes the normal butterfly feelings in the warmup, but once the match started all of that was long gone. I felt like I had a solid match, nothing out of the ordinary, but a good one.”

A local of Santa Rosa, Calif., Gonzalez grew up a fan of each Liga MX and Spain’s La Liga however he was concerned with U.S. youth nationwide groups from an early age, together with with the U-14 staff when it was coached by Hugo Perez.

However a giant break for him got here when he enrolled at Alianza de Futbol which hosts a number of occasions which are aimed to showcase younger Hispanic gamers in entrance {of professional} scouts. In recent times Alianza’s occasions have been effectively attended by scouts from groups in the USA and Mexico and several other gamers have now been recognized at Alianza occasions who’ve gone on to make their debuts in Liga MX. Gonzalez insists that Alianza performed a “big role” and “opened the doors” in getting him to the place he’s immediately.

Gonzalez was one of many high gamers at Alianza in 2013 and he attracted the curiosity from nearly each Liga MX staff. One of many staff’s was Chivas de Guadalajara which, together with Actual Madrid, was one in every of Gonzalez’s favourite groups rising up.

However signing with Chivas would stop him from taking part in for the USA as a result of membership’s long-standing coverage of solely signing gamers who’re eligible and keen to play for Mexico on the worldwide stage. So ultimately Gonzalez opted for Monterrey, which has received Mexico’s high flight 4 instances, the Copa MX as soon as, and the CONCACAF Champions League thrice.

“At Alianza, we don’t develop players, we showcase them,” stated Alianza’s Joaquin Escoto. “It’s actually as much as the participant. He has earned the whole lot. In 2013 he was a winner. Each Liga MX staff invited him. He was one of many youngest gamers. He was undoubtedly a standout. Each staff was fairly aggressive to get him—particularly Chivas and Monterrey. Chivas actually wished him however he wished to play for the USA. So he went to Monterrey.

“When it comes to Mexico or the United States, most say they’ll go with whoever calls them first because they just want to play internationally,” Escoto continued. “But Jonathan always wanted to play for the United States.”

And Gonzalez will possible proceed to get his possibilities with the USA. Over the last U-20 cycle he impressed head coach Tab Ramos who named him to the World Cup qualifying staff in February the place he was the staff’s youngest participant at age 17. In that match, Gonzalez performed in a single recreation for the U-20 staff that received the CONCACAF title for its first time.

Whereas Gonzalez didn’t make the 2017 U-20 World Cup staff, he’s more likely to be a giant a part of the U-20 staff for the 2019 cycle which may probably characteristic gamers corresponding to Josh Sargent, Tyler Adams, Andrew Carleton, and Nick Taitague.

Given the promising begin to his skilled profession, Gonzalez can’t watch for it to proceed on the worldwide degree as effectively.

“It’s a great feeling being able to compete with such great players at such a high level competition like it is in World Cup qualifiers,” Gonzalez stated. “Being beneath Tab Ramos is an honor due to all of the expertise and data he has.

“Till this second, the USA has at all times guided and been there for me so I really feel like I’ve the must be with them. I would say for now I would have to stay with the U.S. for all they’ve carried out for me. My household is supportive in no matter choices I make so it makes it a lot simpler for me. Worldwide play for me is as soon as in a lifetime alternatives, not all people will get the possibility to play worldwide soccer so I am very lucky for the whole lot I have been via and hopefully will probably be going via.

“I feel like the next U-20 cycle is very promising and full of great talent.”