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Report: Jonathan Gonzalez on Mexico radar following recommendation from Monterrey coach

Californian native Jonathan Gonzalez has been fundamental in Monterrey’s unbeaten record eight matchess into Liga MX’s 2017 Apertura, which currently has ‘Rayados’ reigning supreme in Mexico’s unpredictable table.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been a stalwart to head coach Antonio ‘Turco’ Mohamed, who, after granting Gonzalez and his first minutes in Liga MX play, is reportedly now speaking highly and recommending the Santa Rosa-born U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team player to El Tri boss Juan Carlos Osorio, according to Récord.

Mohamed is aware that the USMNT is keen on the midfielder. The Argentine reportedly sat down and spoke with Osorio about Gonzalez’s skill in the midfielde while strongly recommending him for a senior appearance. With Dennis te Kloese being named the director of all Mexican national teams and having served as the country’s head figure in the national youth programs, Gonzalez could finally fulfill his “wish” to play for the Mexican National Team.

According to the report, Gonzalez is undecided when it comes to representing either the U.S. or Mexico on the international level.

Gonzalez rose within Monterrey’s first team this season after the departure of Uruguayan Walter Gargano and the call-up of Mexican Jesus Molina, who was one of the 23 players Osorio chose to feature in this past summer’s Gold Cup. Since his debut in Week 1 against Morelia, the youngster has not lost grip of playing time. The midfielder has featured in seven of the eight games this season and started in six of them.

 

Comments

    • That’s a weird thing to say about someone who openly professes his admiration for Jermaine Jones and lets Fabian Johnson play the position of his choosing. Not to mention he convinced Gonzalez from Dallas to switch to the good guys.

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  1. Let’s not F around; cap tie him soon. I knowwww the next two qualifiers are too important to experiment or bring in a lot of new players. But heck leave the third keeper at home (they never never ever play) and bring this kid instead. If in the second game we have a comfortable lead, bring him on in the 88th minute. DONE.

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    • Dainja, I don’t know why we don’t do this more often. I have seen several times where we will bring in a young player and leave him on the bench when they could have put him in the last couple of minutes with no harm. Maybe in those previous cases they felt allegiance wasn’t a problem, but I’m with you, don’t mess around and possibly lose a promising player.

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    • I believe there is a FIFA regulation that requires the inclusion of 3 keepers on a 23 man roster, and that said players are limited to GK position. I recall an team from Africa trying to bypass this regulation a cycle or 2 ago. They brought 2 actual keepers and named a field player as their 3rd keeper, but weren’t allowed to play him on the field.
      However, inviting him to the October qualifiers to introduce him to the players wouldn’t be a bad idea. BB did this with JJ before the 2010 WC in the hopes that he’d be healthy enough to make the squad.

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  2. I been watching this kid for a few months and he is an interesting player, he plays the 6 although in my mind he looks to be too light to be one. He is smart, quick, excellent passer with good vision of the playing field. He is a tad better than Emerson Hyndman.

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  3. “‘When it comes to Mexico or the United States, most say they’ll go with whoever calls them first because they just want to play internationally,” Escoto continued. “But Jonathan always wanted to play for the United States.'”

    he turned down Chivas for this EXACT reason…he’s been in our youth set up for quite some time now.

    “‘Until this moment, the United States has always guided and been there for me so I feel like I have the need to be with them. I’d say for now I’d have to stick with the U.S. for all they’ve done for me.'”

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  4. I think US soccer needs to attract throw some names out there for the next head coach so some of these kids that have the option of closing different countries to play for can decide which path they want to take. If someone doesn’t see a future with the national because of uncertainty in head coaches especially at a young age I think it could have a say in their choice. If a nation or possible future coach could show their vision maybe with a few of these younger kids ala CP,McKennie, yedlin, Brooks, horvath, Wright, Wood, and maybe Gonzalez then they could see a good young nucleus that could be built around. There are others out there too but just naming a few. I just think they need to go ahead and plan for the future after arena now instead maybe of losing some of these kids. Not to forget CCV isn’t cap tied yet either. Just a thought

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    • Interesting idea, however, Osorio is likely gone after this Summer so I’m not sure any player would really be looking at which manager they would want to play for.

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  5. This is a quite a shock to read. I have been keeping up with this kid for about 2 years now and he has never stated his “wish” to play for Mexicos national team. He was highly recruited by Chivas ( his boyhood team) and did not go there because of their policy of only accepting Mexican national team players. He did not want to close the door on the US teams. He might have changed his mind to play for Mexico but there has been no indication of such anywhere. Is this wishful thinking on the part of this author or Mexican fans? I would like to see a source to these allegations and also it doesnt matter what his team coach says to Osorio the kid will decide on who he is going to represent. He played with USA U20 in Feb and has never played for any Mexican youth teams.

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  6. It’s always interesting to hear about the tug of war battles between possible US and Mexico dual nationals. I haven’t seen the youngster play yet but obviously he is doing something right or there wouldn’t be this buzz around him. Arena would be smart to at least get him around the team, although i feel like if a player really wants to represent either side, his heart has to be in the right place and not because of any extra efforts of persuation or promises made(i.e Julian Green by JK).

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