MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Sign Defender Omar Gonzalez

Published on January 10, 2024 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


Frisco, Texas - FC Dallas has signed defender Omar Gonzalez to a contract through the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025 season, the club announced today.

"Omar brings valuable veteran experience to FC Dallas and will be a great addition to our defensive system," said FC Dallas Technical Director André Zanotta. "We're excited that he's coming home to Dallas where his leadership in the locker room will be a tremendous asset for us."

Gonzalez brings 15 years of professional experience, including 12 seasons in MLS (276 appearances), is a three-time MLS Cup winner (2011, 2012, and 2014), a two-time Supporters' Shields winner (2010 and 2011), and has featured four-times in MLS Best XI selections (2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014).

Gonzalez, 35, returns to his hometown of Dallas after spending two seasons with the New England Revolution. Last season, Gonzalez featured 18 times in the regular season for the Revs, scoring his lone goal of the season on September 17 against the Colorado Rapids. The Skyline High School graduate appeared in 37 matches for the Revolution across all competitions.

"I am extremely excited and proud to be joining FC Dallas after leaving the area at the age of 15. When the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance to come back home," said FC Dallas defender Omar Gonzalez. "This is a full circle moment. When I broke the news to my family in our group chat, I said to them 'the kid is coming home a man'. It is special to be reunited with them in Dallas. I am thrilled to join the organization and to work together to put a star over the FC Dallas crest."

Prior to New England, the 6-foot-5 defender spent three seasons with Toronto FC appearing 73 times across all competitions. He made his Toronto FC debut in a 2-0 Toronto win against CF Montréal on July 14, 2019. With Toronto, he made appearances in MLS, MLS Cup Playoffs, Concacaf Champions Cup, and the Canadian Championship.

In 2015, Gonzalez joined Liga MX side C.F. Pachuca where he totaled 88 appearances across all competitions. Gonzalez helped Los Tuzos obtain its sixth Liga MX title after winning the 2016 Torneo Clausura final against C.F. Monterrey. FC Dallas defeated Gonzalez's Pachuca side 2-1 in the first leg of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals before being defeated 3-1 in the second leg. Gonzalez also won the 2017 Concacaf Champions League with Pachuca after defeating Tigres UANL. Gonzalez helped Pachuca finish third in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017 after convincingly defeating United Arab Emirates side Al-Jazira 4-1 on December 16, 2017.

Gonzalez was selected third overall by the LA Galaxy in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. In seven seasons with LA, Gonzalez made 223 appearances across all competitions scoring 17 goals assisting 13. Gonzalez earned MLS Rookie of the Year honors in 2009.

On the international stage, Gonzalez has accumulated 52 caps with the United States, including three appearances in the 2014 FIFA Men's World Cup in Brazil. Gonzalez won the 2013 and 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup with the United States.

Gonzalez was part of the historic Maryland men's soccer program who obtained its third NCAA National Championship in 2008. Gonzalez, a sophomore with the Terrapins at the time, became an NCAA National Champion after defeating the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill on December 14, 2008 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

The Dallas native played his youth soccer with the Dallas Texans prior to moving to Florida and feature for U.S. Soccer's U-17 Residency Program in 2005. Gonzalez's family still resides in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas.

With the addition of Gonzalez, Dallas now has 30 players under contract for the 2024 season:

Goalkeepers (2): Antonio Carrera, Maarten Paes

Defenders (9): Herbert Endeley, Marco Farfan, Omar Gonzalez, Sebastien Ibeagha, Geovane Jesus, Sam Junqua, Nolan Norris, Nkosi Tafari, Ema Twumasi

Midfielders (15): Eugene Ansah, Paul Arriola, Liam Fraser, Asier Illarramendi, Bernard Kamungo, Sebastian Lletget, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Isaiah Parker, Paxton Pomykal, Tomas Pondeca, Enes Sali, Tarik Scott, Dante Sealy, Alejandro Urzua, Alan Velasco

Forwards (4): Jesús Ferreira, Malik Henry-Scott, José Mulato, Jesús Jiménez

TRANSACTION DETAILS

Full Name: Omar Gonzalez (OH-mar gon-ZAL-ez)

Connect with Omar: Instagram | X

Position: Defender

Height: 6-5

Date of Birth: October 11, 1988 (35)

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Nationality: United States

Language Spoken: English and Spanish

Last Club: New England Revolution

Transaction: FC Dallas Sign Defender Omar Gonzalez

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