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MLS LA Galaxy

L.A. Galawy's Gonzalez Earns First Call Into U.S. Under-20 National Team

June 11, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CaRSON, CA (Friday, June 11, 2004) - Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Guillermo "Memo" Gonzalez has been called into the U.S. Under-20 National Team for the first time by Head Coach Thomas Rongen for a friendly against Brazil on June 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He will depart on Sunday, June 13 and is expected to miss the Galaxy's regular season games on June 19, 23 and 27.

After the match, Gonzalez and the majority of the side playing in the friendly will leave for South Korea and the Busan Four Nations International Tournament. The U.S. will play South Korea, Poland and Brazil once there in a round-robin format.

"This call-in supports our belief in Memo's future," said Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. "This will be a great opportunity for a player we have great aspirations for to represent his country in challenging matches."

Gonzalez, a native of Paramount, California, split time between the Galaxy and the U.S Under-17 national team, during his rookie season of 2003, including a prominent role for the USA in the playing in the FIFA Under-17 World Championships.

Gonzalez is one of five MLS players on the roster, joining Freddy Adu (D.C. United), Arturo Alvarez (San Jose Earthquakes), Craig Capano (Chicago Fire) and Eddie Gaven (MetroStars).

"We are excited and honored that Memo has been called in," said Los Angeles Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "It's going to be a tremendous experience for him and an opportunity to test himself against some great players in his age group."

The U-20s will have a few days of training before facing South Korea in the opening match of the tournament on June 22. The U.S. will then face Brazil on June 24 and finish the round-robin play against Poland on June 26. Gonzalez will return to the Galaxy at the conclusion of the tournament.

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