FRISCO, Texas – New FC Dallas signing Omar Gonzalez knows Major League Soccer. His resumé includes 276 league appearances, four MLS Best XI selections, three MLS Cups and two Supporters Shields.
More importantly, he knows Dallas.
Gonzalez grew up in Oak Cliff and played for the Dallas Texans youth club, competing in the famed Dallas Cup against local and international competition. Although Gonzalez has lived all over North America since turning pro in 2009, his family never left Dallas. Gonzalez’s parents, Adrian and Maria, still live in the same Oak Cliff house of Gonzalez's childhood.
Clearly, FC Dallas isn’t just another stop on Gonzalez’s soccer odyssey.
“My first reaction was a little bit of shock because I didn't see it coming,” Gonzalez said on signing with his hometown club. “And then it just turned into goosebumps at the thought of joining FC Dallas where I grew up, and where I trained with the first team before heading off to college. The memories started flooding back into my brain and the thought of playing in front of my family, and being close to them, fills a hole that's been in my heart for quite a while. It’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s not only proximity to family that has Gonzalez excited about a return to Dallas: “Having the opportunity to be where it all started and be a person that kids from my neighborhood can look up to and say, ‘Oh, this guy made it, he went pro, he traveled the world, he played in a World Cup, I could potentially have that same path.’ Now I'm closer to home, I’m able to reach out to them. I’m giddy at the fact that I can have more of an impact on the community.”
FC Dallas will also enjoy Gonzalez’s impact. At 35, he brings a wealth of championship and international experience. Gonzalez even crossed paths with FCD head coach Nico Estévez in 2019, at the end of his decade-long U.S. National Team career. From the start, Estévez knew Gonzalez is a personality he can count on.
“Omar knows what teams need to win trophies,” Estévez explained. “He brings competitiveness and all that he’s learned throughout his career to us. He can help young players develop and teach them how to be part of a competitive team in this league. On the human side, he's a great, great person and he’s going to help us strengthen the culture in the locker room.
"On the field, (Omar) is really, really good in the air, attacking and defending. He's excellent at defending set pieces as well as defending the penalty box. Over his career, he's developed well playing out of the back. He knows how we want to play and and what he can add to the team."
On paper, this is a great deal all around: Gonzalez gets a happy homecoming and FC Dallas gets an experienced defender with undeniable leadership qualities. On the financial side, Gonzalez signed as a free agent (so no transfer fee involved) and agreed to a team-friendly contract, allowing the club to further improve the squad within MLS's salary cap. With FC Dallas likely playing north of 40 games in 2024, Gonzalez’s addition could prove crucial.
“I’m super excited to put on the jersey and play for the city, it's a dream come true," Gonzalez said. "I just hope to make them proud.”
