Toronto FC announced today that the club has used the first allocation ranking to sign U.S. international defender Omar Gonzalez using TAM (Targeted Allocation Money). Subject to Gonzalez passing a medical, and the receipt of his international transfer certificate, he will be added to the roster on July 9 when the transfer window re-opens.
“Adding Omar will improve our team. He is a great competitor that will approach every training session and match with a high level of intensity. He’ll also be able to add a greater presence in the air for us, both offensively and defensively. And, while he has won numerous trophies during his career on the club and international level, he is hungry to be part of championship team in Toronto,” said Toronto FC General Manager Ali Curtis. “We were looking for a very specific profile of player. Omar’s a good guy. He will fit in well with the group, and he will be a welcome addition to the locker room and daily environment.”
Gonzalez, 30, joins Toronto FC from Fútbol Club Atlas (Atlas) of Liga MX, where he was in his first season with the club, having made 36 appearances with two goals. Gonzalez began his professional career after being selected third overall by LA Galaxy in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. In seven seasons with the Galaxy, Gonzalez made 223 combined appearances (MLS, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, Concacaf Champions League) with 17 goals and 13 assists. With the Galaxy, he won three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, 2014), two MLS Supporters’ Shields (2010, 2011), was named to the MLS Best XI four times (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) along with MLS Defender of the Year (2011) and MLS Rookie of the Year (2009). In December 2015, Gonzalez was sold and signed with C.F. Pachuca (Pachuca) of Liga MX. With Pachuca, he made 87 combined appearances with three goals and four assists. Gonzalez won three trophies with Pachuca including, the Clausura Liga MX championship (2016), 2016 Liga MX championship and the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League. He later joined Atlas in July 2018.
Gonzalez has earned 49 caps for the U.S. Men’s National team. He was part of the U.S. 2013 and 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup winning sides; and the roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. His most recent cap came on March 27, 2019 in a 1-1 friendly match against Chile. Gonzalez was recently named to the preliminary U.S. squad for the upcoming 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC has used the first allocation ranking to sign U.S. international defender Omar Gonzalez using TAM (Targeted Allocation Money).
OMAR GONZALEZ
Position: Defender
Height: 6’5
Weight: 205 lbs
Birthdate: October 11, 1988 (Age – 30)
Birth Place: Dallas, TX
Nationality: American
Last Club: Fútbol Club Atlas (Atlas)
