Omar Gonzalez’s seven-year stay with the LA Galaxy has come to an end.
The Galaxy announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Men’s National Team center back has been transferred to Pachuca of Liga MX. As a result, Gonzalez departs the only professional club he has ever played for after making 180 regular season appearances.
“We thank Omar for his contribution and dedication to this club throughout the past seven years,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “We wish Omar the best of luck with Pachuca.”
Gonzalez’s departure comes as the Galaxy attempt to shuffle their roster around their series of big stars. This past season, Gonzalez’s Designated Player deal was bought down with Targeted Allocation Money, allowing the Galaxy to sign the DP duo of Steven Gerrard and Giovani Dos Santos to go with former league MVP Robbie Keane.
The 27-year-old defender, who was selected by the Galaxy in the 2009 MLS Draft, has made four MLS Best XI squads and claimed three MLS Cup crowns while with the club.
In joining Pachuca, Gonzalez joins a team that finished 12th in Liga MX this past season.
What do you think of Gonzalez’s move? How will he fit in with Pachuca? How will the Galaxy replace him on their backline?
Share your thoughts below.
Weaknesses last year were center midfield (Gerrard) and goalie
I think this is clearly a salary dump by the Galaxy. First they traded Sarvas and then let Panedo walk because he wanted more money. All to clear room for Dos Santos and Gerrard. As a result, their weakness in defense is what led to their bowing out of the playoffs early. I think they have become too enamored of big name DP’s to the detriment of the team as a whole. While Kennedy is an improvement over Ricketts, their back line is now weaker and I’ve never been a fan of Leonardo. I think Arena has finally stubbed his toe badly on his player moves in the last year (with the exception of Lletget).
He’s getting a great chance to improve his game but he’d better perform or he’ll ride the bench. No star treatment for him over there.
I think its the beginning of the end of Omar and he’s already done with the NATs
Brave but dangerous move for Omar. If he fails at Pachuca he’ll never garner the big bucks again in any other leagues including MLS.
He has not been as good as he has been. Having a child and getting paid a lot more than he was seemed to distract him. He got comfortable with us.
This is not unexpected. The Galaxy front office is in a way responsible because of the addition of Gio. TAM allowed the Galaxy to retain Omar, but it was clear as day that Omar wasn’t living up to his salary and his contract year was approaching. Omar wasn’t going to play for less, which is what I’m sure was the new offer.
I think this is a good move for both parties. It was clear that Omar was complacent in LA, and it showed. We’ll see what he’s made of now, he’s going to have to work his butt off to get consistent minutes at Pachuca. LA is now free to go get someone cheaper and more hungry, as well as use that money on other holes in the lineup.
John terry incoming. LolLa
MLS is messed up, Garber has much to address but seems only concerned with expansion……
I think the Galaxy and Arena saw this coming. The signed defenders David Romney at the end of last years and Daniel Steres at the beginning of this year. These were some of the dominant players in the USL last year when the Galaxy II went to the USL Champioship final.
Still it does leave a hole in the back line and Leonardo, as much as he has improved, does not have OG range and skillset.
I do believe,despite the signing of Clement Diop the Galaxy still have an international spot left on the roster. I think with the TAM money and the reduction of OG salary toward the cap, the Galaxy will have a fist full of dollars for a new center back from another MLS team or from a foreign club this transfer period.
AWESOME!!
Wow, nice pleasant surprise. I know he has struggled the last year, but I’ve always thought he had the highest ceiling of any of our center backs. But once he chose to stay in LA, his career has plateau’d a bit. So i’m glad and pleasantly surprised to see him challenging himself. Now will he do well? Hmm, we’ll have to see. But regardless, congrats and good luck Gonzo!
his game is NOT suited for that league…going to be a disaster…
yeah, but he’ll be a beast on corners!
Disagree! Gonzalez consistently outplayed Alverado. But in all defensive lineups, your only as good as your other center back. If he adjusts to the Liga MX style of play, he should do well, if he doesn’t I expect him to be back in the MLS in three years.
so whats with the mexican american exodus in MLS… mexico must be getting them some pretty hefty contracts
He will be riding pine in Mexico. Careers go their to die….
this will immediately put him back on the USMNT roster…JK loves players playing outside of MLS
Honestly it will, well at least as many chances as Orozco’s got
Omar has more upside and talent than Orozco, but Orozco is more consistent.
Orozco has the consistency and recently showing well at RB. I would expect him to start at RB in March and a lot going forward with Yedlin struggling and playing for the U23s.
Gonzalez is behind Cameron and Miagza for the RCB spot.
At 27 yrs old I would hardly say the man has any upside
I do agree though that Orozco is one of our better more consistent defenders though.
The move will be good for Omar though. A change of pace can be good for a player, especially when all youve known your career is NCAA soccer and MLS
I suspect the exact opposite. I think he knows he is out of JK’s line up for the USMNT, so why not make the biggest cash grab he can – which apparently is Pachuca.
Typical MLS bending the rules for the LA Galaxy.
did not see this coming. hope it works out for him.
Ummm. LA stinks.
Thanks for adding to the conversation whiner.
You should post LAs record without him.
Also, Luis Gil is in Mexico this week carrying out contract negotiations with an unnamed Liga MX team, per sources.
Okay move for him – pay and competition. Should be helpful for his twindling national team career.
LA is going to struggle with out him! And right before Champions League gets serious. Wish they could have waited until the summer.
pretty shocked to see this. really thought they would keep him with their new found Garberbucks
It’s not like they didn’t try. GAM was the first Omar rule in MLS, and I’m fairly certain that TAM was the second Omar rule, but somebody screwed up a number somewhere along the way.