Why Jonathan Gonzalez isn’t in the wrong

Due to limited chances for the USMNT, along with the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, up and coming talent Jonathan Gonzalez was granted a one time switch from allegiance with the USA to Mexico. The teenager has come under fire for his quick judgement.

But can you really blame him? Now, he not only has a chance to breakout in a very talented Mexico team at World Cup 2018, but potentially land a move to MLS or even Europe. The Mexican team has evolved at a much faster rate than the US, with players like Hirving Lozano joining fellow players Hector Herrera and Carlos Vela in some of Europe’s quality leagues. Gonzalez fills a role in the Mexican national team that really hasn’t properly been filled since the retirement of Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and this is a great opportunity for the teen to really prosper and become a star. The US already has talent in that position, and plenty of other up and coming players too. This isn’t to say that it wasn’t blasphemous to completely exclude Gonzalez from January camp. Dave Sarachan certainly made as mistake that Bruce would’ve been proud of there.

Gonzalez was criticized for acting rashly and not being patient, but when in a period of rebuilding like the US is in, and when you’re still not being picked for essentially a try-out at January camp, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Gonzalez was frustrated. This also highlights how the US is still stagnant in its views of the soccer world. It’s possible to understand giving other players chances too, but to leave the man out for seemingly no reason is an inexcusable decision. As mentioned, the US has many other players to fill key spots in a new team, but nobody can deny missing out on as talented a player as the Monterrey man could prove to bite the US in the rear in the long run.

Jonathan Gonzalez was a talent that could’ve been nurtured and really exploited. Instead, he’ll be playing against the US for one of their biggest CONCACAF rivals. Hopefully he will get more chances to shine for El Tri than he did for the USMNT.

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