By RYAN TOLMICH
The career of Oguchi Onyewu has spanned 11 years and 220 games and seven countries and, after spending last season with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, the 32-year-old American defender is still undecided on the next chapter.
Onyewu is currently on the market after signing a short-term contract with the the Owls in January and, while he hasn’t ruled out a return to the club, the two time World Cup veteran will weigh his options.
“Right now no decisions have been made, but I’m aiming to stay in the UK,” Onyewu said. “It’s always a possibility that I will stay at Wednesday. But I want to weigh up my options before I make a final decision.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll have the opportunity to play for Newcastle again. You never know.”
Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray has expressed his interest in bringing back the 32-year-old centerback, going so far as to express his disappointment in his omission from the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup roster.
“We were disappointed for ‘Gooch’ because he’s a good professional and a good lad,” Gray said. “It’s how it goes. He wanted to come here and prove his fitness was up to scratch. I think he did that, but in the end the manager decided to go down a different route. I know he will be very disappointed he didn’t make the squad because he’s played in two World Cups.”
Prior to his time with the Owls, Onyewu struggled through frustrating times at Malaga and Queens Park Rangers. Onyewu’s career has also seen him play for clubs such as Sporting CP, AC Milan and the aforementioned Newcastle.
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Where would you like to see Onyewu end up? Is Sheffield Wednesday a good fit for him? Would MLS be a realistic option?
Share your thoughts below.
He said he wants to stay in the UK, so I assume that’s where he will land, whether that’s in the Championship or Premiership.
God, goochs career tanked after leaving liegé
you could say that
but you could also say he signed with AC MILAN
played for Sporting Lisbon and had some big CL games with Malaga. not too terrible but yeah underwhelming. had he not have had that injury against COSTA RICA, might have actually gotten some games for Milan in 09-10
or if he just signed with Marseille or wolverhampton or a turkish club his career would have ended up more prestigious
but still he has had $$$$$$$$$$
and nearly 70 caps with the NT
English are delusional; this guy actually thought Gooch had a shot at the USA roster?
Still a good player but not on that level… Not many English-Championship player in the WC.
So… I think that Besler is Championship level. And probably Beckerman. And Mix. And Gonzo. Zusi. Raimondo. Beez.
There’s a mix of higher and lower on the rest of the roster.I.e., Wondo lower. Yedln not yet known.
TJ
How did you come to that conclusion?
Hey GW, it is just my opinion. Based Just on observation. I have been wtching a lot of MLS lately. I will admit to not seeing a lot of championship soccer though since changing subscriptions. Just feels a step coarser than EPL.
Don’t get me wrong though. I think the champiOnship is a very stout (but not very sublime) league.
at SHEFFIELD he’s making 500 k a season. MLS wont pay him that. nor does he deserve that here.
A lot of vet cb’s are in the $200-300k range.. I could see him in that class if healthy
Is there a team in the MLS that couldn’t use an upgrade like Gooch? Maybe San Jose doesn’t need him? Every other team would be delighted to have him.
Timbers, galaxy if gonzalez leaves, nyc, OrlAndo, lifamx where money talks.
Lol all this MLS talk when Gooch clearly stated he wants to stay in the UK.
Yes, and I want to play for Barca — that does not mean it’s going to happen.
Except he already has an offer in the UK. Pretty sure you don’t have one from Barca.
It is time for him to retire and play in MLS.
Oxymoron? Or just a moron?
Stay with Wednesday. I think he’d be only fair in the PL. Sheffield Wednesday fans seem to mostly admire him.
Learn the anti-Jozy lesson: when you hit your groove stop moving. They played him 19 games in part of a season. They want him back. I’m sure someone would sign him here and he could move towards retirement, but he is not going to be a hot market item paid big money, after missing the team.
agreed stay at wednesday. great situation for him
Germany is on and Brazil is later. See you in a few. I love SBI ’cause I can actually educate some people here. Thanks.
TTB= TOTAL TOOL BAG
Have fun watching those rejects (idgit)
Thanks, let me know when the education begins. Presumably after the pointless trolling ends.
I think that picture has been photoshopped; makes it look like Gooch was *running*.
I kid because I love.
LOL thats what I thought, I never recall him dribbling…just booting the ball
No editing needed when you are running past a 33 year old often injured Bobby Zamora.
Zamora played 10 seasons in the EPL and had 341 appearances, an average of 34 a season. Regulars typically put in somewhere in the mid 40’s.
Zamora hardly the donkey you portray him to be.
In fairness, he may only be awkwardly trapping the ball here
Where do all rejects end up? MLS.
That David Villa guy is such a reject.
At his age, he is a reject as well.
He played well for Atletico this year. If he is a reject, I want USMNT full of rejects just like him, talent wise
Troll
That word… I do not think it means what you think it means.
He’s on the World Cup roster for the top ranked team in the world and just won La Liga and was a runner up in CL.
^meant as a reply to Baptista.
Where do rejects go ?
Baptista ended up posting on SBI
So your saying we’re all rejects?
Any pro’s here?
I am, in fact, paid to have opinions.
Of course, not about soccer.
Gooch went to a relegation threatened team, started, played well and they survived comfortably. He can still play.
Cue all the come back to MLS comments in 5,4,3,2,1
Absolutely! But only because I’m selfish and I’d love the opportunity to watch him play in person. He obviously needs to do what makes the most sense financially for his family, and MLS teams may be reluctant to hand over DP type money for his services. At 32, if he can collect a fat paycheck in the UK then more power to him.
rees,
I wonder about guys that don’t want him to play in MLS. bizzarre.
I think he should go wherever he can get the biggest paycheck and I doubt that will be MLS. It doesn’t makes sense for an MLS team to spend significant DP money on him given his age/skills. He’s not a type of player that will get many people in the seats either.
Come back to MLS
In all seriousness, I don’t think it is a good fit. How much is he expecting to make ?
I am looking at Chad Marshall, wishing he was playing in Brazil, making $270k.
I don’t think too many MLS teams are willing/able to pay him DP money…regardless if you think he is worth it or not.
I also think the mid-season timing here is not his friend. Villa will be joining a new team for the start of a new season. The cap structure can be fitted around him. Whereas Gooch and anyone else trying to make a summer move have to push their way into an existing team with contracts to uphold and a structure in place. He’s marginal enough I wouldn’t upset my applecart to squeeze him in.
Liga MX