CARSON, Calif. (Monday, February 4, 2013) – LA Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez was one of 24 players that were named today to the U.S. National Team roster ahead of their FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Honduras. Gonzalez is currently in Miami training with the rest of the National Team before traveling to San Pedro Sula, Honduras later this afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s game. That game, which is the National Team’s opening match of the Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying, kicks off at 1 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on beIN Sport.
Gonzalez collected his third career cap last week, playing the full 90 minutes in central defense as the U.S. played to a 0-0 draw with Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. The Dallas native, who made his international debut in August 2010 in a friendly against Brazil, has never before appeared in a World Cup Qualifier.
READ: Arena pleased with Gonzalez's U.S. national team call-up
The MLS Cup 2012 MVP has appeared in 101 MLS regular season games for the Galaxy since joining the club in 2009. The 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year and the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year, Gonzalez missed the first half of the 2012 season after suffering a left knee injury while on loan with FC Nürnberg of the German Bundesliga in January 2012. He returned to the field on July 4 against Philadelphia, less than six months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL, and went on to appear in 21 games in all competitions, helping lead the Galaxy to their second straight MLS Cup championship. He was named the MVP of the MLS Cup victory over Houston, tying the score at 1-1 in the 60th minute. He finished 2012 with two goals and an assist in all competitions, giving him 10 goals and five assists in his Galaxy career.
