With the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup set to launch in 12 days, CONCACAF.com will profile one player from each of the 12 teams, starting Monday with the United States’ Omar Gonzalez.
Gold Cup Player Profile: Omar Gonzalez (USA)
United States international Omar Gonzalez could be considered one of CONCACAF’s unsung heroes.
He has appeared in six different editions of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL), lifting the trophy for the first time with Pachuca this past April, when the Tuzos prevailed over Tigres in the final, 2-1 on aggregate.
In December 2015, the 28-year-old defender joined the Liga MX power from the LA Galaxy and was part of the side that won the 2016 Liga MX Clausura crown.
With the Galaxy, Gonzalez scored 12 goals in 180 Major League Soccer regular appearances, winning three league titles (2011, 2012, 2014).
Gonzalez was named MLS Rookie of the Year (2009), Defender of the Year (2011) and to four MLS Best XI rosters (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014).
His U.S. debut came in a 2-0 loss to Brazil on August 10, 2010. Gonzalez has gone on to earn 39 caps, competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup (3 games/0 goals) and capturing top honors in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup (2013: 1/0, 2015: 3/1).
In his SCCL career, Gonzalez has played in 24 matches, scoring two goals (one in a 2-0 win v Alajuelense on August 25, 2011; one in a 4-1 win over Herediano on March 13, 2013).
