Lynden Gooch played a key role in Sunderland’s promotion back to the English Football League Championship this season and now has committed his future to the club for the next two seasons.
Gooch signed a new two-year contract with the Black Cats on Wednesday, keeping him at the Stadium of Light until June 2024. The American winger/midfielder has totaled 213 senior appearances for Sunderland to date, contributing 23 goals and 35 assists.
“Lynden played a fundamental part in our success towards the back end of last season, so we are delighted that he has agreed a new contract,” Sunderland manager Alex Neil said. “He has huge amounts to offer – on and off the pitch – and his love for the Club, and what it means to him to play here, really shines through. He is going to be vitally important next season, especially with his versatility, and this is a great signing for us because we want to keep that core of the group together.”
Gooch, 26, has been involved with Sunderland for the past 18 years, working his way up from the academy to the first team. He made 45 appearances for Sunderland during its promotion-winning campaign last season, registering six assists.
He has earned four caps to date with the U.S. men’s national team, last appearing in a 2018 friendly vs. Bolivia.
“This is important for my family and I because this is our home,” Gooch said. “I’ve been here for 10 years as a professional and I’m really pleased that we are all going to be here for another two years. I stayed and signed a new contract previously because I wanted to help the Club return to the Championship and deliver that success. Now that we have achieved that, I’m looking forward to proving myself in the second tier once again.”
Sunderland has kicked off preseason camp in England ahead of its Championship campaign, which starts this August.
i admire the loyalty in the modern hypercapitalistic frogger context. i remember him being a little shanky on the crosses but given how the NT is going we might reward a little dempsey-fulham stability.
I remember him as being better than Arriola is right now. I certainly like him a lot better on the ball, he’s better technically all around, and he’s a good hard worker and he had pretty good speed as well.
But yeah, I remember some grim crossing from him too. Maybe he’s cleaned that up in the intervening years? Might be worth a look though I doubt it comes this World Cup cycle….and he will be 30 by the next one.
I think his window for the usmnt has likely passed. He is a Sunderland lifer, no shame in that.
Lynden’s biggest problem, as it relates to the USMNT, was bad timing with injuries. And the stink of Jozy and Sunderland, however unjustified that may be, is all over him and it plays to people’s prejudices.
If healthy and in good form, there’s no question that he’s a better soccer player than Ariolla.
I’d give him a shot to displace Paul, no question.
What’s going to happen if they get promoted into the EPL next year? What if Gooch remains a mainstay in that case? Being 30 in 2026 should not be an impediment if Gooch is good enough. Ariolla will be 31 -32 and still in contention if Berhalter is the manager.
Weirder things have happened.