Top Stories

Catching up with Herculez Gomez

Herculez Gomez (Reuters) 

If the recent goal-scoring streak being put together by Herculez Gomez in Mexico had you wondering about the former Los Angeles, Colorado and Kansas City player, wonder no more.

I caught up with Gomez this week to discuss his red-hot run in the Mexican League, his World Cup aspiration and the injury that most impacted his career. Here is my Fox Soccer piece on Gomez.

That wasn't all Gomez had to say. Here are some more excerpts from my interview, with him discussing comparisons between MLS and the Mexican League.

On comparing MLS to the Mexican League

"No matter what I say the MLS fans are going to say Mexico sucks and its easier, while Mexican fans believe MLS is easier,” Gomez said. “It’s just ridiculous to me. They’re completely different. You’re talking two completely different styles.

"It’s a lot more technical here. All of them know how to handle a ball. The number one thing is Mexican teams have a lot more money to spend on players. You see these great players coming here because of the resources teams have here.

"MLS has quality. People here might not respect MLS, but both leagues have a lot of qualities."

On questions about playing for the Mexican national team

I’m thankful for the opportunities Mexico has given me, and I’m proud of where my family comes from, but I honed my game in the States and if given the opportunity I think it would be very special to represent my country.

On Copa America in 2007 being one of the highlights of his career.

"It wasn’t just because of the caps, but because it was in Copa America. Some players get their first cap against Cuba, Haiti or Panama. I got my first cap against Argentina. I was thrilled, so its definitely something I’m proud of.

"You look at the players Argentina had. Messi, Tevez, Riquelme, Ayala, Heinze. Just having that chance was so special"

On teams choosing not to play him at forward

"It was tough to swallow but nobody wanted to play me at forward anymore. I found myself not getting playing time in Colorado anymore and KC told me I'd be the team’s sixth striker so the writing was on the wall there.

"I don’t know what it was. I’m partially to blame as well. I know it’s what have you done for me lately in this business."

———————–

What did you think of Gomez's story? Impressed with his perspective? Hoping he gets a chance and call-up to the U.S. pre-World Cup camp?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If they USA or Mexico won the whole thing they would still be considered champions of the Copa America but they wouldn’t be able to clinch the automitic bid to the Confederations Cup since they do not belong to the CONMEBOL. The next highest placed CONMEBOL team would get the bid. Maybe that is why the Copa America is not “cap-tying” for Mexico or the US in the Copa America.

    Reply
  2. Great article ives.

    C’mon guys, saying that the Mexican leagues sucks is dumb & embarrassing to U.S fans, shows the lack of soccer knowledge.

    Mexican teams have come close to winning Copa Libertadores, that should say something about their league. I hate saying that the Mexican leagues is superior to anything U.S related, but that is the reality of the situation.

    I believe that in 20 years the MLS will be the number one league of the Americans, but for now we are 4-5th at best.

    Reply
  3. I can’t stand Mexican teams. They are the biggest poor loser ever. Even in the indoor game. I went the the SD Sockers recently and they played two Mexican teams back to back. After the Sockers won each game the Mexican teams were such babies. Just like their National Team.

    Reply
  4. I believe that compare MLS league with the Mexican league is out of discussion. MLS is new though, but has been improved a lot since it was created. Right now you can see the stadiums with reasonable attendance thanks to the quality of the the teams and the players, including the foreign ones, but has nothing to with the Mexican league, which is one of the most expensive league in America, one of the most competitive.
    MLS is growing and this is very good.

    Reply
  5. This guy is very respectful and diplomatic in comparing the two leagues (doesn’t want to send bad vibes to US Soccer and Bob Bradley,thus hurting his chance to play for US National Team) but I will say it for him.PLAY FOR MEXICO,where you will really show your skills and capabilities.You will only stagnate playing for US,they are not going anywhere with their lack of skill,creativity,cockiness and tactical deficit.

    Reply
  6. This was a good success story and this post and the Fox Soccer article was a great read. Congrats to Herculez Gomez

    Reply
  7. It crazy they way people compare the mexican league and MLS…MLS??!!! A league that doesnt pay half as good as the mexican league. With that being said I wonder why Gomez didn’t give 100% in MLS. To risk injured without the money to sustain yourself even for a year??? Another reason is if you have “QUALITY” around you, you produce “QUALITY”. when was the last time a top MLS team beat a top mexican team in competition?? Then the arguement being tossed around is the mexican league doesnt have defense….what?? The defense we couldnt penetrate in the gold cup with out “MLS STARS”?? Also, we have a better defense in MLS??? How many goals did they score in that game?….5!!!!! Mexicans grow up with soccer much like we grow up with basketball/football. MLS will never be on the same level as the mexican league any time soon. So if we have a US player excelling in a league like that…why shouldnt we give him a chance. BB needs to start trying out ours mexican players with the “A” team, and not with players from the “C” team that comprises of players from MLS. If the highly skilled/technical players play up forward in the mexican league….guess where Gomez plays and is scoring?!!!!! LOW QUALITY PLAYERS = LOW QUALITY SERVICE = LOW(OR NO)SCORING. With the player pool we have abroad NO MIDFIELDERS OR FORWARDS/STRIKERS SHOULD COME FROM MLS!!!!!

    Reply
  8. Thoroughly impressed with him. As long as he doesn’t get injured and keeps scoring at a decent rate, he’ll be on the final 23 man roster. 4 weeks tomorrow the 30 man preliminary rosters are released. CAN’T WAIT!

    Reply
  9. Because the likes of Davies, Jozy, Grella, Norwegian kid, insert others, will be in there prime and like the generation before, the newer guys will be technique better, faster, stronger, playing in a better league.

    Reply
  10. It is not that the Mexican defending is “bad”. It just appears laid-back, in that they give people time with the ball. The pace seems slow. But you could justify it as, they are avoiding making mistakes.

    In MLS, they attack people with the ball fast, pushing them, surrounding, tackling. When MLS and FMF play in CCL, the MLS team often controls posession, since they are so aggressive about it. But having the ball isn’t the same as beating the defense.

    Reply
  11. yes, thats a good point….the “money” players are the technically gifted ones…and fortunately for us yanks, those frequently happen to be from chile, argentina, paraguay, etc.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to bee Cancel reply