Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/494191
38 PRONUNCIATION: Gon-ZALL-ezz POSITION: Defender HEIGHT: 6' 5" WEIGHT: 205 lbs. BIRTH DATE: 10-11-1988 BIRTHPLACE: Dallas, TX CITIZENSHIP: United States LAST CLUB: (England) STATUS: Designated Player HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Galaxy in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Omar Gonzalez is a big, physical centerback who has emerged as a starter for the US Men's National Team. Playing with the Galaxy after he was drafted third overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Gonzalez has been named the Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, and to four MLS Best XI's (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014). At the team level he has won three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, 2014) and two Supporters Shields (2010, 2011). MLS HIGHLIGHTS 2014: Gonzalez anchored a Galaxy backline that allowed an MLS-low 37 goals all season, starting in 22 regular season matches in addition to all five MLS Cup Playoff matches. In addition to his contributions from his position in central defense, he scored a career-hight four goals and added a career-high two assists on the season. For his efforts, he was named an MLS All-Star, to the MLS Best XI and a Finalist for MLS Defender of the Year. 2013: Started in all 27 of his appearances for the Galaxy, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Was named to his third MLS Best XI and also earned honors as LA Galaxy's Defender of the Year, his third time being named that honor. 2012: While on loan to FC Nuremberg, suffered a torn ligament that kept him sidelined for a portion of the Galaxy's Regular Season. Went on to make 13 starts in 14 appearances during the regular season. In the playoffs, Gonzalez started in six matches, scoring a goal that sparked a comeback against the Houston Dynamo in the 2012 MLS Cup final as the Galaxy captured their fourth MLS Cup. 2011: The 2011 MLS Defender of the Year, as well as the Galaxy's Defender of the Year and a member of the MLS Best XI, Gonzalez had two goals and an assist in 29 regular season games. With Gonzalez marshaling the center of defense, the Galaxy allowed the fewest goals in the league and equaled an MLS record with 17 clean sheets while adding two more in the playoffs and three in the CONCACAF Champions League. After missing the first three games of the year, Gonzalez returned to the field in April and scored his first goal of the season at Chicago on 4/17. He added a second goal against FC Dallas on 8/6 before tallying an assist at Kansas City on 9/5. Gonzalez also missed time in mid-July after breaking his nose, forcing him to miss the MLS All-Star Game, which he had been named as a starter for. He added a goal and an assist in the U.S. Open Cup and a goal in the Champions League as well. In the playoffs, Gonzalez played every minute of LA's four games, helping the club win their first MLS Cup since 2005. 2010: The Galaxy's 2010 Defender of the Year and an MLS All-Star for the first time in his career, Gonzalez had a breakout season for the Galaxy in 2010. A finalist for the MLS Defender of the Year award and a member of the league's Best XI, Gonzalez started 28 of the club's regular season games, as well as all three postseason games, leading the club in regular season games played and minutes played amongst all field players. He scored his first goal of the year in the 4-0 win at Seattle on 5/8 and then added his second in second half stoppage time of the 1-1 draw at Chicago on 9/4, heading home a Landon Donovan corner kick to save a point for LA. Gonzalez also added a goal in the postseason, scoring the game-winner in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series win over Seattle at The Home Depot Center when he headed a David Beckham freekick past Kasey Keller to give LA a 2-0 lead. He was booked a team-high eight times on the season and was forced to miss two games through suspension. These were the first two games of Gonzlaez's MLS career that he missed and LA lost both games by 2-0 scorelines. He was the first Galaxy defender to be named to the Best XI since Chris Albright in 2005 and the first LA nominee to be named a finalist for the league's Defender of the Year award since Tyrone Marshall that same season. 2009: The 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year, Gonzalez was the only Galaxy player to start all 30 of the club's regular season games. He made his MLS debut starting and playing all 90 minutes at center back in the season opening 2-2 draw vs. D.C. United on 3/22. He scored the first goal of his MLS career in the following game, heading home a Landon Donovan corner kick in the first half of a 3-2 loss OMAR GONZALEZ