Omar Gonzalez Steps Up In Win Over Orlando City
Omar Gonzalez Steps Up In Win Over Orlando City
“I’ve been working hard to stay fit, stay ready, and tonight was a night where I get an opportunity."
With Brandon Bye forced to leave the New England Revolution’s latest match against Orlando City with muscle tightness, Bruce Arena was forced to adjust. With Andrew Farrell replacing Bye at right back, Omar Gonzalez replaced Farrell at center back.
Gonzalez stepped up and helped New England secure the 3-1 win. He completed 87 percent of his passes while also recording 40 touches, six clearances, and an interception.
The center back spoke to The Blazing Musket after the match and discussed his performance on Saturday.
“Yeah I’m really happy to get an opportunity,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve been working hard to stay fit, stay ready, and tonight was a night where I get an opportunity. I thought I did my part to help the team and secure three points. So it’s a good night. I feel good about it. Bruce had some words to say afterwards saying ‘I’ve got some stuff to show you’ so there’s always room for improvement, always room for growth.”
Gonzalez has seen his role change throughout his career. The former USMNT defender is now more of a leader in the locker room along with receiving occasional minutes. When he is on the field, he brings a type of experience that not a lot of players possess and something Arena is quick to point out whenever asked about the center back.
When you are not playing many minutes, it can be tough to get into the flow of matches. That is multiplied when you are forced to step in for an injured player.
Just like his role on teams, Gonzalez's view on how to operate as a pro has changed. He has learned from his elders in the earlier part of his career and credits them for the mindset that has allowed him to have a lengthy pro career.
“I always have the mindset to come in and get that 1% better,” the center back said. “That’s what I’ve done for a long portion of my career, wasn’t always like that, but learning from older guys when I was really young.”
Now Gonzalez is looking to pass that knowledge down to his younger teammates.
“So right now it’s just a culmination of everything that I’ve learned throughout my career,” he said. Really just trying to contribute, just being a good teammate, being a good mentor, showing the younger guys what it takes to stay ready. Sometimes you feel like you’re getting forgotten about but you can’t think that way and just try to lead by example.”
Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. noted Gonzalez’s ability to lead and mentor younger players when talking about playing with the center back against Orlando City.
“Well, fortunately, Omar [González] and I play together almost every week,” the goalkeeper said. “A lot of times we're not in the starting lineup, and both him and I are very intentional about pushing our first team [in training] and playing as if we're going to play on the weekend. So, to have him join me in the second half was very natural for us. He made some unbelievable plays. A header at the near post a couple of times. He's a great player for us, so I was happy to have him out there.”
While Gonzalez has played more of a minor role in 2023, he has been someone that New England and Arena can rely on to close out games. After a 2022 season that saw the center back struggle, Gonzalez deserves praise for doing his job. When he gets an opportunity, he is showing that he deserves it.