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Red-hot Gomez is on Bradley’s radar (UPDATED)

HerculezGomez (Reuters)

There isn't a more in-form American striker in the world right now than Herculez Gomez, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley.

Gomez told his club's website that he has had contact with Bradley during his recent goal-scoring binge (seven goals in 12 matches), and he acknowledged that he just keep scoring and playing more to have any realistic chance of playing in this summer's World Cup.

"The United States only has two friendlies left before the World Cup," Gomez told Pueblafutbolclub.com. "The only chance the coach has to see me is to see what I do with Puebla. There has been contact, but he has the mentality that if I can't help my club then I can't help my national team, and for that I have to get on the field."

(UPDATED- Gomez contacted SBI on Monday and told us his comments were mis-translated by the Mexican media (in this case, the Puebla website), and that he has not actually been in contact with Bob Bradley recently. He did say that his agent, Richard Motzkin, has told him that Bradley is aware of his exploits and recent success in Mexico.)

Gomez scored his seventh goal of the Mexican League season on a free kick in Puebla's 2-1 win vs. Club America on Sunday. The goal proved to be the game-winning score.

While it remains unclear just what level of contact there has been between Gomez and Bradley, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering Bradley stays in touch with dozens of players in his player pool. Gomez is no stranger to Bradley, having been a part of the U.S. national team that played in the 2007 Copa America. Gomez has earned two caps under Bradley, but none in more than two years.

Comments

  1. I would gladly accept that honorary chicano hood, I am Puerto Rican/Dominican so I can already speak the language.

    I wanna clarify that I have no personal beef with you, I just get bothered by the racist talk, for the most part bradley tries to put the best players on the field, he just so happens to not be the greatest at evaluating talent. Anyone that has watched Torres can see that he is extremely gifted and yet to have reached his peak. I would love to see Torres in MLS against more physical players, I think his game would grow exponentially.

    Furthermore, MLS needs a lot more young americans with skills playing in our league, Sal Zizzo comes to mind as a player that should be back in MLS. All the americans playing in mexico should come play in MLS so they can develop the physical aspects of their games…… Marco Vidal, Castillo should come play in MLS

    Sorry for the rant.
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  2. it’s coming down to comparing MLS to Mexico. to a lot of people, Gomez scoring this many in mexico isnt a big deal. they prefer Casey who scores in MLS. if findley, casey, ching, and cunningham all get a chance, you would think Gomez would. and that is because Mexico is a good league. rivalry aside, you still have to recognize that. as well as recognizing it isn’t the best defensive league either.

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  3. nice addition to the conversation. how exactly am i wrong? based on current play (and a little history), this is not far fetched. you could argue between Casey and Findley, but the point is clearly that Gomez is above ALL of them right now. findley had his chance, and he failed. Gomez could also fail, but right now, he is at the top until he is given a chance. it’s simple, really. so quit being an a$$ and use your brain.

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  4. I don’t think the Mexican League would be one of the most successful leagues in the CONCACAF region if they had poor defense ….. The bottom line is Jozy would score goals if he wasn’t playing at Hull.

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  5. This is professional soccer… I think all pros have the ability to “crush” a shot.. All of Gomez’s goals are crap. He will def NOT be on the USA roster come World Cup, or ever for that matter.

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  6. If you’ve got an example OTHER THAN ROSTER SELECTION of Bradley being a racist, lay it on us, otherwise please keep that kind of slanderous nonsense to yourself.

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  7. It is very interesting the way people analyse things on this forum. Here you have a guy scoring goals and is put down…almost immediately. If we are so quick to dog our own player what about people in other countries. You have players that are having a hard time playing overseas just because they are Yanks….they are dogged….the players having a hard time because his style of play is different from the immediate needs of the team….he is picked apart…or a player that was brought in to just be a strong quality replacement is seen unfit by many. The way American soccer has been a joke to so many overseas…so are our players. We have to work twice as hard, unless you are very lucky and a manager just likes your style of play.

    Its not all about “RUN..PASS..SHOOT”, cause once you get blocked off it’s a rap, no skill or talent to get yourself out of trouble. It’s not all about “play time” also because not all coaches are looking for the same thing in a player. We need a coaching staff that looks at the skill and talent level of the players and effectively combine them together. Bradley has a way of trying certain players with a “B”or “C” team and when they dont do well we act supprised. A player should be given several REAL chances before been written off because one game is not enough.

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  8. One thing I will never understand is bringing in a player that doesn’t get minutes for his pro team. Eddie Johnson for instance. If Johnson is still getting call ups then Herc definitely deserves a look. He not only is getting minutes but he’s scoring in droves. He may have stunk it up in the Copa America but he is a much different player today.

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  9. I don’t think Bradley will call Hercules. It’s too late. I live in San Diego and can pick up the digital Mexican stations. I’ve watched most of the Puebla games and the key element for Gomez is that He’s motivated. He’s become one of the go-to guys on the team. Even the commentators like him. None of that gringo stuff with him. Puebla beat America 2-1, and it was the first time in 14 years that they were able to defend their home turf against the Aguilas(Eagles). The manager had promised to quit if they lost. America was all over them, but with some luck and great defense at the goal Puebla was able to repel the attack. Very entertaining game. By the way, the other goal was scored by “El pescadito” Ruiz. I guess the MLS can win in Mexico after all.

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  10. The US team is not as deep in many positions as a lot of the traditional soccer powers so filling every position with the best players is crucial. Gomez proves that he deserves a look-see at least, but unless the US can schedule another friendly game to look at fringe players, it might be too little, too late. The fact that when playing out of his best position as forward, Gomez was not that great. I think unless you bring a ton of talent to a position, you need to have a capability to play at least two positions well, at least with the forwards and midfielders. Having a winger play forward like Donovan and Dempsey, or having a defensive Midfielder play well as an offensive one, like Bradley, is a definite plus for the US.

    I’m still of the belief that the US needs to be looking at more depth in the back line or at least have a defensive midfielder who can convert to cover the corner back position.

    But if Charlie Davies cannot make the comeback, you will need another striker. There are several I would have picked before Gomez, but when a striker is in form and confident, they should be given consideration.

    With all the injuries, I hope Bradley doesn’t waste a position with a player that may have had a great career but if injured or recovering, takes a spot from a healthy player. I am referring to John O’Brien who wasn’t recovered from his injuries and played for only 30 minutes and injured himself again in the 2006 WC.

    The players selected must be injury free or else be of absolute indispensability to the team.

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  11. a little info for the gringo from NY: Mexicans think of mexican/americans as bastardized versions of themselves. There is also envy since chicanos make more money, and because some of their countrymen (not all, but some) would like to jump over the other side of the rio grande. In other words BrooklynFC, my “our mexicans are better then your mexicans” line was a joke intended to pour salt into the wound of fans of the sputtering and dying Mexican national team. They are our mortal enemies, and dont forget it BrooklynFC. Hell, I’ll even make you an honorary chicano.

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  12. That is not true. according to fifa rules, the replacements (alternates) don’t have to come from the 30 player roster, although it would be highly unlikely that BB would do that.

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  13. Bradley has to take a good look at Goodson, Bedoya, Torres, and Gomez. If he sticks with “the regulars” … we’re in big trouble.

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  14. Fine, then defend the selection of Findley, Cunningham or Eddie Johnson instead.

    You can’t.

    The fact is that with 20 minutes to go and needing a goal vs. Slovenia or Algeria, Gomez is a better choice right now than any of those three because he’s on form and confident.

    Current form outweighs everything else when talking about our 3rd/4th striker, because the overall quality of ANY of those guys simply isn’t there.

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  15. Gomez > Ching >Casey > Findley > Cunningham

    sorry, but if bob does not call him up, it furthers my opinion Bob is not up to the task.

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  16. i just dont get the logic behind looking over the only american scoring goals. dont give me the “if jozy was playing in mexico” excuse. it does not matter. this is about Gomez. and right now, Gomez should be going to SA.

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  17. Jozy, Ching, Davies and Gomez actually sounds the best we can do.

    No Drogba’s or Higuain’s among them,on good days decent role players.

    I agree it is best if we can keep Dempsey and Donovan in their wide spots. Then slide Dempsey up about the 6oth minute to bamboozle a tiring defense, taking off whichever role player was having a worse day. And bringing in fresh middie legs.

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  18. Oh word……. Forgot about Rimando

    By the way this team is not a half bad side…….. They could probably make the playoffs…… Their defense would be stout
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  19. not sure how he blew his own trumpet? he reported that a player spoke to his club’s website, and linked to the comments. It turns out there was a miscomunication or mistranslation, not ives’ fault

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  20. I was exagerating of course……. But altidore would easily have as many goals as gomez. And he would make a lot of defenders get red carded.

    ASide- If Jozy were taken all of the penalties he has earned for his team he would have at least 8 goals right now.
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  21. look i hate diving but it’s part or what a forward does to gain filed position and advantage. he’s learning the game quite well and earning his keep in a struggling EPL side. It ain’t pretty but it’s just what he needs to be doing (other than shooting more). Goals are important and I say give Gomez a run out, he can’t be any worse than Findley or Cunningham. But please do not compare Mexican’s first league to the EPL. and expect to be taken seriously. That would be like comparing MLS to Serie A.

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