Omar Gonzalez’s first season in Liga MX ended on the highest of notes.
The American defender started and played all 90 minutes on Sunday as 10-man Pachuca topped Edgar Castillo’s Monterrey, 2-1 on aggregate, to claim the Liga MX title. Tied 1-1 on aggregate heading into stoppage time, Castillo found himself on the wrong end of what turned out to be the game-winning goal from Victor Guzman, who sealed up the latest title of Gonzalez’s decorated career.
With Sunday’s victory, Gonzalez now has a Clausura title to go with a trio of MLS Cups, two Supporters’ Shields and a CONCACAF Gold Cup crown. The win sees Gonzalez join Herculez Gomez as the only two players to win both an MLS Cup and a Liga MX title.
The 27-year-old defender, who was recently left off of the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the Copa America, started all 23 matches for Pachuca after joining the club in December. Castillo, meanwhile, falls short in a season in which he made 31 total appearances ahead of a call-up to the USMNT as Timmy Chandler’s injury replacement.
This feeling will never get old! So proud of my teammates & our entire staff. And so proud to be a Tuzo! Champions! pic.twitter.com/SzUX7SxUyI
— Omar Gonzalez (@Omar4Gonzalez) May 30, 2016
Gonzalez’s latest achievement drew the praises of many throughout the American soccer landscape, including Landon Donovan and Jurgen Klinsmann, with the latter drawing heat from fans on Twitter after leaving Gonzalez off of the USMNT roster.
https://twitter.com/landondonovan/status/737126463581880320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Huge compliment and Congratulations to @Omar4Gonzalez for winning the #Clausura2016!!@Tuzos
— J_Klinsmann (@J_Klinsmann) May 30, 2016
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What do you think go Gonzalez’s achievement? Should he have been named to the Copa America roster?
Share your thoughts below.
That’s the kind of play I’m used to seeing from Castillo on the USMNT. A little surprised Omar didn’t make it over Orozco too although to be fair I haven’t seen Omar play since he moved.
Where was Castillo on the play that led to the winning goal? Not marking the opponent who hit the cross or not jumping (or even pretending to make an effort) to try and head the cross out?
Surprised that Besler and Orozco made the USMNT squad but Omar did not. Orozco I can kind of understand because he can play fullback, but, given the season Omar had and JK’s comments about player’s success at the club level, almost head scratching why Omar didn’t make it.
Also, Castillo’s play that led to the goal is going to make all USMNT fans nervous if he comes on as a fullback. As a wide midfielder, ok but as a fullback? Maybe Orozco and/or Birnbaum would be better 🙂
Yep, Castillo’s positioning and effort on the winning goal were atrocious. His spot on the roster says more about the MNT’s weakness at LB than it does about his abilities. And despite his lack of speed, I still think Tim Ream would have been a better choice.