Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
While one half of the U.S. Men’s National Team centerback pairing has committed to spending the rest of his career in Major League Soccer, the other half of the pairing is keeping his options open.
In the wake of Matt Besler’s landmark Designated Player contract signing, joining USMNT centerback Omar Gonzalez as the only two American defenders on Designated Player contracts, Gonzalez has sounded off on the deal as well as his own future.
Gonzalez, who signed his DP deal in August 2013, isn’t likely to move abroad this summer, as LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena has all but ruled out a transfer move. However, Gonzalez told reporters ahead of the Galaxy’s friendly match against Manchester United that he would still like to try his luck in Europe again in the future.
“I still want to ply my trade in Europe, but right now I’m committed to the Galaxy,” Gonzalez told LA Galaxy Insider. “That’s something that my agent handles, but right now I’m looking to get back to full fitness and I’m looking to get a result against United and go to Seattle and have a tough game.”
Gonzalez joined FC Nurnburg in Jan. 2012 for a short-term loan but in his first training session, tore his anterior cruciate ligament, ending his stint just as quickly as it had begun.
Prior to and since the injury, Gonzalez has been a standout defender in MLS, winning the award for best defender in 2011, making the MLS Best XI on three occasions, and winning two MLS Cups with the Galaxy. The 25-year-old Gonzalez is currently in his sixth year with the Galaxy since being drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
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What do you think of Gonzalez’s comments? Would you like to see him move abroad? Think he should remain in MLS?
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