BY ADAM SERRANO
Chivas USA's full squad may have been on the road preparing for a mid-week match, but amongst their practice players was none other than Mexican League's goals leader and U.S. World Cup hopeful Herculez Gomez.
After a fantastic season with Puebla FC, the Las Vegas native is presently training with Chivas USA in order to build up his fitness ahead of a potential U.S. National team call up. With only a few days till the announcement of the preliminary 30 man roster on May 11th, Gomez is eager to return to peak match fitness.
"I want to make sure that I'm in shape and I don't want to lose that feeling that I had during the season and I want to keep it going," said Gomez. "I want to stay in shape because I know that nothing is guaranteed right now and I haven't heard anything right now so on my end I'm going to do everything that I can to be ready."
The 28-year-old forward finished the Clasura Bicentenario tournament with 10 goals allowing him the share of the Golden Boot, a performance that many have called the greatest ever by an American abroad. His performance not only made him the first American to lead the Primera Division in scoring, but also made him only the second member of Los Camoteros to hold the Campeón Goleador. Perhaps what makes Gomez's run so impressive is that many of his goals came off the bench, a role that many have suggested he could hold for the U.S. National Team.
"Coming off the bench, I thought if you want to eat, well this is what you had to do so you have to do," said Gomez. "Its great that all of this happened, but I'm not done and I need to keep that mentality going."
After spending much of last preseason with little idea of where he would sign, this off season is looking very different for the Las Vegas native. Despite all the added attention, Gomez's focus right now is primarily on making the World Cup squad.
"The season doesn't start for some time and thankfully not having any options last year prepared me for right now," said Gomez. "As opposed to when I had no offers three to four months ago, all of a sudden there are plenty and I'm at a good point in my career right now so I'm hoping to take advantage of it."
During his run at Puebla, Gomez kept tabs on another in form American striker on the World Cup bubble, Edson Buddle. Plying his trade for Gomez's former club the Los Angeles Galaxy, Edson Buddle has scored nine goals in six matches putting him second to only Herculez as the most in form American forward. Despite the shortage of spots, Gomez understands that the two strikers are not in competition.
"I watched his tendencies and he's just a great player, he's just in unbelievable form right now," said Gomez. "But by no means do I think I compete with Edson because we are different players, but I understand that the chances of us going (to South Africa) are slim."
One aspect that should benefit the striker should he travel to the World Cup is Puebla's immense altitude. A city surrounded by volcanoes and mountain ranges in the Valley of Cuetlaxcoapan, the city sits 7,000 feet above sea level, making the altitude of South Africa little concern for Gomez.
"It's the third-highest elevation in all of Mexico and with the combination of altitude and pollution; it really takes a toll on your lungs," said Gomez. "But, I've got a good set of lungs under my chest."
Throughout the entire journey of the past year, from his doubts of where he was going to play this year to soaring to the heights of the Mexican league, Gomez has done his best to remain grounded and remain thankful for all that he has accomplished.
"I'd retire if I got called up, going to the World Cup is just the best thing possible." joked Gomez. "Honestly, though I'm just an kid from Vegas who didn't have all the advantages that the kids from Southern California had and I had to chase the American dream by going somewhere else so to experience what I've experienced is more than I can ask for.
I'm just happy for this opportunity."
Dude, he deserves a look in camp for sure. If he can come of the bench and get a GOAL in 10-12 minutes, then he’s worth a look.
1st ever American Goal-scoring champ of Mexico = ticket to South Africa = Gomez
Buddle = MLS’ Gomez = ticket to 30 man roster, maybe ticket too
” *** I haven’t heard anything right now so on my end I’m going to do everything that I can to be ready. – Gomez *** ”
I’ve routinely read he hasn’t heard or has had no contact with the USMNT camp, during this fantastic run. Have I just not came across a credible source that has reported actual contact between the two parties?
I find that troubling, if it’s in fact true.
Ives, any word if they’ve had informal talks on any level regarding the possibility of the 30 man camp or SA as a whole?
what I was thinking
Right, with Davies and Ching shaky to say the least, taking both makes sense to me too.
They got to be better than (insert list here)
this was my favorite part
“Captain Fabio Cannavaro is one of nine Juventus players in the training squad announced Sunday, and one of nine that took Italy to glory in Germany in 2006.”
Given that fulham beat juve, I’d say thats a weak camp
if anything, go back to villareal and train, why spend it with red bulls or LA?
I’d say its too early to say he shouldnt be on the roster. Let bradley and co. get a look at him in camp and then decide. WIthout having seen him play, it would be silly to rule him out at this point.
This kid embodies the American spirit. No matter your background, if you bust your butt, and put your nose to the grindstone you can accomplish anything. As an American and a fellow Latino, I can’t help but feel proud of Herc. He came from absolutely nowhere to the cusp of the playing in the World Cup.
God bless America!!!!
its a midweek camp, and villareal is playing on wednesday i believe. There’s also the problem of traveling.
Yeah I did. I’m not going to lie, I smiled a bit.
I agree. When both players played in the mls, never would anyone have gone through the trouble of comparing Buddle and Gomez side by side. Their inclusion in the US National Team at the time was probably absurd. I too wish I could see the camp and the battle for striker positions. It seems like all these players genuinally want the position. Davies is recovering like wolverine, Gomez is practicing with Chivas (which must be painful), and Buddle is scoring goals left and right. Plus Ching is fighting to get back and Casey is in Colorado not shrinking in stature: all these players are working for it. At least whomever Bradley chooses won’t lack enthusiasm and effort.
…if it was in Katmandu
I’m not sure who’s articles are better, Ives or Adam. I also feel like you could take either one and you’d get the same effort and analysis of the world of soccer. As for Buddle & Gomez being alike in their scoring prowress, actually Gomez does blackface for the Galaxy on the weekend. You read here it first, they are one and the same person.
please dont kill me but davies shouldnt be on the world cup squad. atleast you knw what you get with everybody else.
Wonder if Jozy could come across the pond and continue to train?
Anyone notice that Rossi didnt get called into the Italian camp?
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/Lippi-selects-squad-for-training-camp
your points as to why EJ is a good player is that he was bought by an EPL club, for whom he never really played for, but instead was loaned out to a championship side where he never really started, then moved to greece where he is not starting either? That’s not a good case, nor is he actually a good player.
Look, when EJ had confidence and was scoring goals by the dozen in MLS, his speed just killed teams and he was using it properly. Now however, without the confidence and experience, he simply cannot produce with the US team. Part of that his is skill set, part of it is that he has no familiarity with anyone on the team. Right now, eddie johnson would be far down the list, barring an out of his mind performance at camp, should he get the call (which i presume he will). He is playing pretty well right now, so who knows maybe hes feeling it again? At this point, I don’t care if it was Stalin scoring goals for the US, as long as someone is
Also, nowhere does gomez mention european clubs, I’m not sure he’d be getting many looks yet.
i dont see why both cant go.
eddie johnson is a lost cause. did you see him against the netherlands? he has no vision what so ever. i remember one play where bedoya was wide open making a great run and eddie didnt even look up. sure he has plenty of speed but this is soccer not track.
freddy on the other hand would be a better option. he would be great coming off the bench playing 20 to 25 minutes.
i say bring buddle, gomez, bedoya, and adu to the world cup.
i agree with everything you said. i also think freddy should go. he would be a great option coming off the bench around the 65th minute. i think we could’ve used him in the final match of the confed cup. we desperately needed offense at the end of the game and freddy can provide that. he’s a way better option than sascha.
OBAMA!
strikers should by altidore, gomez, buddle, davies
maybe ching for either davies or buddle/gomez. this is going to be an extremely exciting battle between the strikers from day one. best of luck to all.
i don’t even want to hear cooper, johnson, findley, cunningham, or casey mentioned in the plans for the WC
those r my opinions, bb will choose whoever. buddle is going i think anyway if buddle and gomez are equal at camp bb probably has indirect instructions to take buddle. in other words having the “star” mls player just looks better for american soccer and the league as a whole.
just my 74 cents on this article.
forwards at camp should be ej, jozy, davies, gomez, buddle, clint and lando can play if needed.PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT EJ IS ABOVE GOMEZ AND BUDDLE, BUT BUDDLE AND GOMEZ HAVE MORE POTENTIAL. eddie johnson is not a world-beater at 26, but he was bought from mls by a epl club, and plays in greece (better than mls and possibly better than mexico). jozy as well has had trouble in england, and gomez is on the western hemisphere Not scoring goals in england is not bad, tons of players fail there, it is just a tougher environment (just better,promotion, relegation, etc.).
We all know that gomez is “looking at offers from euro clubs”, but ej has been there done that. gomez “failed” out of the mls for crying outloud, atleast edson has shown some consistency the last few years, and he has clearly been improving or hes been taking steroids. Edson’s goalscoring run isnt luck, we all thought he would have a big year. earlier this year during qualifying i wanted him to get a cap, even then he just looked like the next big thing.
People may be impressed with the form of gomez and buddle, take a look at ej with aris. 14 appearances, 4 goals. a lot of those appearances were as subs. he also scored a clutch brace during a greek playoff.
Gomez=has not shown enough consistency for me
buddle= plane ticket
ej= plane ticket
charlie= plane ticket
clint and lando=……no plane ticket
ching= might get called into camp, but not even close to sniffing plane ticket
gomez has a bright future he could play a huge role in wc14 if he goes to europe and proves he is consistent while improving his own game.
If Ching is considered, BB is seriously delusional. Casey did well for the qualifiers, but we need that speed/tactical mix in a striker, which Casey lacks. We got Jozy, probably CD9, Dempsey can move up front (as he is currently being used at Fullham)EJ is in form, Buddle & Gomez are breaking records in their respective leagues….why in gods name is this even up for debate???!!!!
If Buddle shows up at camp and plays well, (unlike Cunningham and Findley), he should go over Casey and Ching. Gomez should go and Davies will be there as a super sub, along with Jozy. Move Deuce up front and put Holden in his spot. How many strikers will go to SA? If we need more beef up top, bring Ching instead of Gomez unless Davies just isn’t there and Gomez goes anyhow.
Ives just wrote a piece about the 30 call up on Foxsoccer.com. Freddy was on his list to be at least called to camp. Making the team is still very unlikely…
I think the forwards in camp should be: Jozy, Herculez, Buddle, Findley (Clint and Landon can both play up top).
Davies and Ching will almost surely not be fit. Jozy, Clint, Buddle, and Herc, can all play the hold up/target role better than Casey.
🙂
I picked up on the joke^. Nice one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puebla_%28city%29#Climate
“The climate is moderated by its high altitude of 2,200 m (7,217.85 ft).”
It could be worse.
It could be Harry.
Puebla is at ~7500ft elevation (according to Wikipedia) …
I swear there is one of these Adu backers on every USMNT thread, even if the story has nothing to do with him.
Ugh …
how fast in your connection to reach him down in Mexico?
and with that said I am pulling for both to make the team however unlikely that will be
Buddle and Gomez are better options than Casey, EJ, Findley and Cunningham! Hands down. Bradley needs to mix it up a bit. I’m gonna say it, bring in Freddy Adu. He will perform on the big stage if the coach challenges him!
I know. If only he could play for…..ah, nevermind.
I hope he and Buddle go. I mean Findley? C’mon.
that would be around 17000 feet…
not likely…
Ives didn’t write this piece…
Thanks for keeping Herc on your radar Ives. I do think it should be noted that Puebla FC doesn’t play on top of volcanoes at 3.5 miles up, but more likely at about 7500ft, which makes his fitness ideal for SA. I’m routing for him, he will, I hope, get a look on the 30 man roster.
Gomez HAS to go. He’s on fire, he’s healthy and has unique attacking qualities for our pool.
Davies will be ready to start I think, but realistically can’t be expected to go 90 every match. Gotta like Buddle’s form but wonder if he’ll prove to be any better than EJ/Casey/Ching in camp…
I would pay $$ to see the forwards at this years camp. Davies, buddle gomez ching, ej, whoever they bring in, its gonna be a battle from the first whistle.
To me, its hard to compare buddle and gomez. I think buddle’s simple yet successful style suits the US team better, but gomez brings us what davies does, some flare, spice and goals out of nowhere. It depends on the role that bradley needs to fill. If davies goes, i think we’ll see buddle, if davies doesnt, i suspsect we’ll see gomez, but thats just one man’s opinion.
“the city sits 5,600 meters above sea level”
This can’t possibly be true.
very true, they are different types of players with one common factor…they both can finish.
When do MLS players leave for the World Cup camp?
(SBI-After May 15 matches.)
He’s got a great attitude and a great nose for the goal. Hopefully he’s able to stay in form and make the team and make an impact in the cup. I used to play against Herculez in Vegas when we were kids. His team always destroyed mine. I could not be happier for him.
good luck hurk
It’s good to see Herculez practicing with Chivas. Good way to keep in form.
Good stuff IG.
I really am not sure who is better, Gomez or Buddle. I almost feel like you could take either one and you’d get the same effort and goalscoring prowess.