ASN: Three Ideas on Omar Gonzalez’ Transfer to Pachuca

The 27-year-old Texas native struggled in 2015—and at occasions appeared to take a step backward in his growth—however his transfer to Liga MX aspect Pachuca ought to present new challenges and motivation.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
December 22, 2015
11:00 PM

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THE FIRST MAJOR WINTER TRANSFER of an American participant was finalized on Tuesday as Omar Gonzalez parted methods with the Los Angeles Galaxy and signed with Pachuca of Liga MX. 

Gonzalez, 27, has performed his whole skilled profession with the Galaxy and has emerged as certainly one of Main League Soccer’s most recognizable gamers, starring alongside the likes of Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, Giovani Dos Santos, and David Beckham.

Thus far he has earned 30 caps with the U.S. nationwide group relationship again to his debut in a 2010 pleasant towards Brazil in New Jersey. Over that point Gonzalez, at present ranked thirty third within the ASN 100, has been an everyday starter for the senior squad however by no means for a chronic interval. His most high-profile worldwide caps got here towards Germany and Belgium within the 2014 World Cup.

— Omar Gonzalez (@Omar4Gonzalez) December 22, 2015

The change of surroundings is definitely the second time Gonzalez has tried a transfer overseas. In January 2012 he was loaned to FC Nurnberg within the Bundesliga however tore his ACL in his first coaching session when he was on the mistaken finish of a deal with from future U.S. nationwide teammate Timothy Chandler.

In an period the place many U.S. nationwide group gamers have returned from overseas to play in MLS, Gonzalez’s switch makes him some of the high-profile gamers to maneuver overseas in recent times. Listed below are my ideas on the transfer.

Gonzalez wanted a brand new problem

Gonzalez has a powerful home resume. In 2008 he gained the NCAA nationwide championship with the College of Maryland and was drafted by the Galaxy with third total choose within the 2009 Superdraft. That season he helped the Galaxy turnaround a last-place end with a Western Convention title the place it will definitely fell within the MLS Cup finals. Alongside the best way, Gonzalez gained the 2009 Rookie of the Yr award.

Since that point he has additionally gained three MLS Cups and two Supporters’ Shields, and he was awarded the MLS Defender of the Yr in 2011. He was named to the MLS Finest XI 4 occasions—in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

Consequently, there may be nothing left for Gonzalez to show on this league and over the previous season it confirmed. Gonzalez was not rising as a participant and appeared to stagnate. He had proven many occasions simply how good he may very well be. Absent any problem, nevertheless, it generally appeared like there was nothing pushing him to enhance. 

Now with a brand new membership in a brand new league, he will likely be compelled to play properly on a constant foundation or lose his spot. He’s ok to be one of many higher Liga MX defenders however nothing will likely be handed to him. Like every participant, he’s solely going to go so far as he can when in sturdy aggressive setting. MLS was the best match for him for the primary seven years of his profession however he wanted, and bought, a change of surroundings.

Gonzalez can present management

At Pachuca, Gonzalez will likely be a veteran on an in any other case younger group. Based in 1901 it is likely one of the oldest golf equipment within the Western Hemisphere however most of its success has come because it earned promotion to the highest flight in 1998. Since then it has gained 5 Mexican titles, 4 CONCACAF Champions Leagues, and the Copa America Sudamericana.

Even with all of its success over the previous 18 years, Pachuca is seeking to enhance on its twelfth place end within the 2015 Apertura.

— Membership Pachuca (@Tuzos) December 22, 2015

There must be a gap for the six-foot-five Gonzalez. Colombian central defender and group captain Aquivaldo Mosquera, 34, struggled within the Apertura. A lot of Pachuca’s different defenders are there on mortgage—together with Hugo Rodriguez, Victor Guzman, and Omar Esparza.

Gonzalez, a World Cup veteran, has performed in lots of mportant video games starting from World Cup qualifiers in Estadio Azteca to CONCACAF Champions League matches to MLS Cup finals. The chance isn’t just there for Gonzalez to contribute but additionally to guide. It’s as much as him to benefit from it.

Liga Mx Yanks typically battle with U.S.

It will likely be very fascinating to see how this transfer impacts Gonzalez’s worldwide standing with the U.S. group below head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Gonzalez’ uneven performances with the Galaxy in 2015 noticed him miss out on each the CONCACAF Cup in October oand the opening World Cup qualifiers in November.

He can nonetheless get again into the image, actually, and a robust exhibiting with Pachuca will possible expedite his return.

Ought to he earn one other call-up, will he have the ability to set up a spot on the group? That is a tough query. For no matter motive Individuals in Liga MX have struggled on the worldwide stage. Michael Orozco, Ventura Alvarado, Greg Garza, Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, and Jose Torres have all discovered various levels of succes within the Mexican high flight however none of them have parlayed this into regular time with the U.S. nationwide group. True, Damarcus Beasley used his time in Mexico to enhance his worldwide standing, however he had additionally performed the sport on the highest stage earlier than arriving in Liga MX.

So will Gonzalez buck the development and discover success for each membership and nation? It could make for a noteworthy story that may very well be fairly vital—maybe opening  doorways for different American gamers seeking to make related strikes.