In this July 18, 2017, file photo, Omar Gonzalez speaks with members of the media at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.The Associated Press
Looking to shore up its defence, Toronto FC has signed veteran U.S. international centre back Omar Gonzalez.
“He’s won championships everywhere he’s been essentially, so a good addition to our group,” coach Greg Vanney said Monday.
“Another valuable experienced guy in the backline,” he added.
Toronto acquired Gonzalez by virtue of holding first spot in the league’s allocation order.
Major League Soccer uses the allocation process as its way of acquiring select U.S. internationals, elite youth U.S. internationals or former MLS players returning to the league after joining a non-MLS club for a transfer fee greater than US$500,000.
The 30-year-old Gonzalez, subject to passing a medical, will be added to the Toronto roster on July 9 when the transfer window reopens. He joins a centre-back corps that includes Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga, Laurent Ciman and Eriq Zavaleta.
“He’s a super guy, nice guy,” Vanney said of Gonzalez. “Works hard every day, he’s very professional.”
At six foot five and 205 pounds, he also gives Toronto an aerial presence.
Vanney also cited Gonzalez’s “good solid professional decision-making as a centre back,” something most would say has been missing in recent weeks for the Reds.
Toronto used targeted allocation money to sign Gonzalez. Under league rules, TAM can be used to sign new or re-sign existing players whose salary and acquisition costs are more than the maximum salary budget charge ($530,000) but less than $1.5 million.
“Adding Omar will improve our team,” GM Ali Curtis said in a statement. “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. 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.”
TFC needs the help. Toronto (5-6-3) has given up 23 goals and ranks 17th in the league on defence, conceding 1.64 goals a game.
Vanney’s team is winless in six games (0-4-2) and has given up two or more goals nine times in MLS play this season.
Gonzalez played seven seasons for the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2009 to 2015, appearing in 205 regular-season and playoff games. Most recently he was with Pachuca and Club Atlas in Mexico.
A former MLS rookie of the year, he was named defender of the year in 2011 and to four MLS Best XI’s (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014). He won three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, 2014) and two Supporters’ Shields (2010, 2011) with the Galaxy.
Gonzalez, a Mexican-American dual citizen who grew up in Dallas, earned his first U.S. cap in 2010 against Brazil. He has made 49 appearances for the U.S. with three goals.
Gonzalez is currently with the U.S. team preparing for June 5 friendly with Jamaica at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Toronto continues to search for an attacking winger.
TFC hosts Sporting Kansas City (3-5-6) on Friday and, because of the league’s Gold Cup break, doesn’t play again until June 22 when it goes to Dallas.
Vanney will be without U.S. internationals Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore and Canadians Jonathan Osorio and Ashtone Morgan this week. All four are on international duty ahead of the Gold Cup.