Word on the street is that the Galaxy will announce tomorrow that they've re-signed Omar Gonzalez, making him their third Designated Player. I'll admit, he hasn't developed as fast as I had hoped he would; certainly the ACL injury last year didn't help. But it's hard to argue with his success in the league and his value to the team (just look at their record with him in the lineup vs. without him--a dismal 3-8-2 start to last season when he was hurt...of course they turned it around, made the playoffs and won MLS Cup with him back in the lineup). As a Galaxy fan, I like it, but I have to imagine Jurgen isn't pleased another of his preferred starting 11 is apparently signing up long-term in MLS.
That is what it sounds like. Grant Wahl casually mentioned this in his article detailing Clint Dempsey's move to Seattle a week ago or so, but it was sort of overlooked. Even I forgot until I saw the rumors online tonight.
From what I've seen of Gonzalez, I'd be surprised if anyone from any of the major European leagues were interested in him. He seems talented but very very raw in the judgement category.
I hope that his agent has a specific buyout clause written in so the MLS can't control his decision to go overseas in the future if he wants. Happy for him that he gets a raise and stays in the MLS rather than go to a lesser Euro league like Denmark or Belgium. He is a player that does need to go overseas at some point to raise his game.
I'm with Don, he is still too raw, not ready, whatever you want to call it. If he were to go to Europe (which he almost did, right), he would get buried on a bench. Maybe that is the thought behind making him a DP so we can keep him here in MLS and work with him.
