Jesse Gonzalez may not have made the initial Gold Cup roster, but the FC Dallas goalkeeper is now locked in to the U.S. Men’s National Team.
U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday that FIFA has approved Gonzalez’s one-time switch to represent the USMNT. As a result, Gonzalez is now officially tied to the U.S. after previously representing Mexico.
The FC Dallas goalkeeper’s international career has already been quite a rollercoaster. Gonzalez represented Mexico in official competition at the U-20 National Team level while previously rejecting a call to USMNT camp. Gonzalez also stated his desire to represent Mexico on the senior level before being included as a surprise member of the USMNT’s 40-man Gold Cup preliminary roster.
Now, Gonzalez is officially committed to the USMNT, who he could still join for the upcoming tournament. The U.S. is allowed to make a total of six switches following the Gold Cup group stage.
At this point the “Old Guard” of keepers is coming to the end of the line. Rimando should already be finished at the international level. Howard hasn’t been the same since his injury last November and 2018 will be his swan song….either as the starter or as the back-up. Guzan hasn’t been the same since his last season at AV and the loss to Jamaica in the last GC. If he doesn’t get his confidence back soon he’ll be relegated to the #3 GK or lower.
After 2018 things are going to get interesting for the USMNT across the board. There are going to be a lot of new faces coming of age and pushing for involvement….
GK: Horvath, Gonzalez, Steffen, (Hamid, Johnson, Bingham)
Def: CCV, EPB, Redding, Farfan, Acosta, Olosunde, Fossey
Mid: Hyndman, Gooch, De La Torre, McKennie, Jones, Adams
For: Akale, Perez, Wright, Weah, Sargent, Taitague
He is a good, young GK. Like to see him get some.e minutes for the gold cup.
18 should be howards last run (if he makes it that far). After that it seems like it’s going to be between Horvath, Steffen, and Gonzalez to be his heir. Guzan’s last season at AV shook his confidence so badly he has never been the same since.
Hate to see him go, but your gotta figure Howard ends his international career after 2018. Then yeah, it’s a WIDE open competition for USMNT #1 Goalie, and we’ve been spoiled by some pretty fabulous ones over the last several years … Howard, Guzan, Freidel, Keller, Meola, and you could easily name more.
Not a Lalas fan but he was actually right on this one. Good choice Jesse, welcome. 😉