By FRANCO PANIZO
More than half a decade after last playing in MLS, Herculez Gomez is finally making his much-anticipated return to the league.
Toronto FC announced on Friday morning that it has signed Gomez, a former U.S. Men’s National Team forward, after acquiring the right of first refusal for him from Sporting Kansas City. Toronto traded allocation money to Kansas City prior to acquiring the 33-year-old forward’s services hours before the MLS summer transfer window closed.
Gomez joins the Canadian club after spending the past five-and-a-half years in Liga MX. He reunites with former U.S. teammates Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, and will play alongside current MLS MVP candidate Sebastian Giovinco.
“Adding a player with Herculez Gómez experience and ability was very important at the deadline,” said Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “He is a proven winner having won both the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup with LA Galaxy. He has also won domestic titles and played in the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League while playing in Mexico.
“He is an accomplished goal-scorer and we will benefit from having someone of his pedigree join Toronto FC.”
Gomez last played in MLS back in 2009 when he was a member of the then-Kansas City Wizards. He went south of the border in January 2010, signing for Mexican outfit Puebla and immediately claiming a share of the Golden Boot in the Liga MX’s Clausura campaign.
He played for several other clubs during his time in Mexico, including Pachuca, Estudiantes Tecos, Santos Laguna, Club Tijuana, and Tigres UANL. Gomez most recently had a second stint, via a loan, at Puebla, making 13 league appearances (three starts) and scoring one goal.
At the international level, Gomez netted six times in 24 appearances and was on the U.S.’s 2010 World Cup team. He last played for the Americans back in 2013.
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What do you think of Gomez signing with Toronto FC? Expecting him to play a pivotal role for the club during the second half of the season? Wish he would have gone to a different club in MLS?
Share your thoughts below.
Well I would love to see all these guys on the field at the same time….
——— Jozy — Herc ———
————- S. Gio ————-
—– MB90 ——- Osorio —–
———— Cheyrou ———–
Morrow — LCB – RCB –Jacks
———— Konopka ———–
——— Jozy — Herc ———
———— Konopka ————
Breath taking. What would you call that formation?
I’m staring at it myself. 14 guys, some of whom will have to apparently clone themselves to play it.
I’m sure there’s some breathtaking existential insight here that would make sense to someone in the appropriate state of mind.
Mind, you probably need a mix of ‘ludes and hashish to get there, but still. Genius.
Jozy has the physical skills and tools, he’s just acts like everything should come easy to him. He needs to look at Dempsey and Herc. Both players are mentally tough. Dempsey did not have an easy time at Fulham … but he made himself invaluable to the team and whoever was coach at the time. At Tottenham, Dempsey did not fit in with the coaches plan, but yet, he got playing time and scored his fair share of goals. Herc was deemed not good enough for MLS and all he did was score a bunch of goals in Mexico and earn a World Cup spot. Come on Jozy, get it together … then again, he is making millions now … so he can just coast and take it easy. No need to earn his paycheck now. Come on Aron Bacon and Bobby Wood … we need you guys for team USA!
But..but..but he was going to sign with Cosmos!
HA!
Forgot about that- wonder what happened? Not good enough for the mighty NASL?
One of my favorite Nat team players. Glad he’s back!
The Latin Obama is back…About Time
I never heard that before? Why is he called The Latin Obama?
They look alike. Look at pictures from the ’10 World Cup White House greeting.
This doesn’t seem to bode well for Jozy’s current standing at TFC. But it may do him a world of good to have some competition.
… and/or mentorship
Mentorship is what he needs. He is frustrated and acting out.
Hercules Gomez, Bradley and Giovinco……excellent partnership. wow
a true comedian
If only they could add Freddy Adu for Giovinco, then you could really get behind them.
This will be great entertainment – headline from next week’s game: “TFC scores eight! (and loses by two)”.
Wow did not see this coming, nice pickup should have been in MLS a few years ago
Great veteran move. He will be a great asset off the bench or when needing to start for injuries, etc. A true leader and great poacher.
Competition for Jozy is a good thing. Hopefully this will push him.
Jozy is not being lazy or needing to be pushed. He is frustrated. He is acting out of frustration. There is a difference. He needs to get it fixed.
Ok…sounds like you have intimate knowledge of the situation and can read his mind. I will defer to your inside information.
Oh you could quit being a d**k and see that he just saying what insiders in Toronto organization, some ex-pros and even commentators on ESPN and Fox are saying. However, I am sure YOU know better than them and could easily come to the simplistic answer…”he needs competiton”.
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/07/24/tfcs-altidore-not-a-numbers-guy
Where does Herc fit in with TFC? Seems like he’ll probable come off the bench to spell Jozy.
yea, basically what Bright Dike, whom Herc replaces, did; come off the bench whenever a ST sub was called for. I see it as a mild upgrade and an ex-NT is always good for marketing/fan/perception reasons.
Wow! Wasn’t expecting Herc to move to MLS until the Las Vegas Mobsters opened up their new stadium!!
Herc is the man. Hopefully he’s still got something left to offer. Glad to see him back in MLS.
Couldn’t he have picked an American team?
He did. Canada is in North America
+1
SPARRRTAAAAAA!!!
Love the pic, love this guy. (i just hope he doesn’t send Jozy to the bench. ha)
Herc! Love it.
Love me some Herc!!! Glad he is back! Herc SMASH!!!