By DAN KARELL
With his career at somewhat of an impasse, Herculez Gomez has decided to return to the place where his career highlights began.
Puebla FC announced late Wednesday that they’ve signed Gomez ahead of the Clausura season, which kicks off on Jan. 10. Gomez comes from Tigres UANL, where he only spent half a season.
Regresa nuestro último campeón goleador Herculez Gómez @herculezg ¡Bienvenido al @PueblaFC !
— Club Puebla 🎽 (@ClubPueblaMX) December 18, 2014
Nearly five years ago, an out-of-contract Gomez took a risk and left MLS for Liga MX, signing with Puebla. The decision turned into gold as Gomez scored 10 league goals, finishing tied for the goal-scoring lead in Mexico and breaking into the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2010 World Cup.
Gomez has had a much tougher time on the field in the last couple of years. A serious knee injury and ensuing complications have kept Gomez from regaining his speed to get past defenders, making it tough for him to secure a regular place in the starting lineup. Gomez has played for Santos Laguna, Club Tijuana, and Tigres since January 2013.
At Tigres, Gomez scored only once in 15 Liga MX matches, including eight starts, and added two goals in Copa MX action in seven appearances. Gomez has made 24 appearances for the USMNT.
Gomez won’t be the only American at Puebla when he returns to the club. USMNT defender Michael Orozco is still a first-team regular in the squad. Houston Dynamo left back DaMarcus Beasley spent two seasons at the club before leaving last summer.
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What do you think of this move? Do you see Gomez succeeding at Puebla? Would you like to see him move to MLS?
Share your thoughts below.
His career has been a total headscratcher. So many highs and so many lows
And yet he found success in Mexico and made him a NT regular. So many chances against Algeria back in 2010.
But he;s been moved to like 3 clubs in less than 2 years. what’s the deal? I imagine he’; making like 400-600 K a year and that’s why he hasn’t come back to MLS
The deal is that he is an aging player (32) who is a specialist (poacher) and streaky.
When he’s on a hot streak he’s a great player to have. When he struggles it’s hard to see the value. Teams are willing to have him mentor young players (hustel & professionalism), but don’t want to keep him around long when he’s not getting on the score sheet.
Its this MLS thing where a team owns your rights and you can’t just sign with whom ever you choose. Thats what too Beasley so long to come back…….& the money thats also big too. The players union needs to make it happen this CBA. At least bump minimum salaries to $60,000 a year.
Why doesn’t this guy come to MLS, like to Houston, Dallas and if the money is the difference, that is very sad from MLS then.
I remember MLS missing out on drogba, eto, ronaldinho years ago because of the salary cap but now, MLS is missing out on good quality ligaMX players that would make the jump to MLS but the money issue is hitting a new record high of sadness.
i think Gomez is over MLS. he spent so many years here getting no credit and being played out of position. in Mexico he seems to be enjoying himself, makes better money, and is played in his preferred position.
I bet the Mexican teams have bigger Roster sizes too… Let’s you keep specialists more.
for sure.
He posted something on twitter a few years ago stating that there is a big difference in terms of money. The top 10 players make more in MLS, but the remaining 590 would make more in LigaMX…significantly more.
Not a snowball’s chance in hell of that ever happening unless there are very drastic changes in the next CBA. Herc has been a vocal opponent on Twitter of MLS’s player personnel policies ever since he left MLS. Particularly, the rule that allows KC to own his rights if he is to return because they made him a bona fide offer on a new contract.
I will never not be a Herculez Gomez fan.
You always get his best and he will never dishonor the shirt!
Club or Country
Not a snowball’s chance in hell of that ever happening unless there are very drastic changes in the next CBA. Herc has been a vocal opponent on Twitter of MLS’s player personnel policies ever since he left MLS. Particularly, the rule that allows KC to own his rights if he is to return because they made him a bona fide offer on a new contract.