FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas has added some depth to its back line with the signing of center back Omar Gonzalez, the club confirmed to WFAA Wednesday.
The signing was first reported by The Athletic MLS Insider Tom Bogert.
“Omar brings valuable veteran experience to FC Dallas and will be a great addition to our defensive system,” said FC Dallas Technical Director André Zanotta. “We’re excited that he’s coming home to Dallas where his leadership in the locker room will be a tremendous asset for us.”
Gonzalez comes to FC Dallas after a short stint with the New England Revolution (2022-23). Gonzalez, 35, was born in Dallas and played youth soccer for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club from 2001 to 2006. Gonzalez’s family still resides in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, the club told WFAA.
Gonzalez has played 13 seasons in MLS, spending his first eight with the LA Galaxy from 2008 to 2015. He returned to MLS in 2019, where he signed with Toronto FC and spent three seasons there. He won the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year and is a four-time MLS Best XI Selection.
“I am extremely excited and proud to be joining FC Dallas after leaving the area at the age of 15. When the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance to come back home,” said FC Dallas defender Omar Gonzalez. “This is a full circle moment. When I broke the news to my family in our group chat, I said to them ‘the kid is coming home a man’. It is special to be reunited with them in Dallas. I am thrilled to join the organization and to work together to put a star over the FC Dallas crest.”
The 6-foot-5-inch center back made 52 appearances for the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) from 2010 to 2019.
Gonzalez joins a center back group featuring Nkosi Tafari, who was recently invited to the USMNT January camp, and Sebastian Ibeagha.
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