So, about that MLS Cup final last weekend… It was crazy intense! I personally was quietly rooting for a Houston win, but LA Galaxy proved they really did belong in the playoffs and pulled off what I believe a lot of people thought they wouldn’t be able to do. A lot of the talk leading up to and now after the match has been centered around two of the big playmakers for LA – David Beckham and Landon Donovan, who both said they were playing their finals games in the LA kits on Saturday.

Today, for this week’s Getting to Know You post, however, I thought it would be great to talk about an LA player that pretty much saved his team’s butt in the final. He’s just as instrumental as Becks or Landon and he’s getting noticed for it. I’m talking, of course, about the 6’5″ badass defender, Omar Gonzalez.

Omar celebrates during this year’s MLS Cup final. Which he should be. He was instrumental in the Cup staying in LA. Photo courtesy of LA Galaxy’s Facebook.

Name: Omar Gonzalez

Club: LA Galaxy

Position: Defender

Age: 24

Birthplace: Dallas, Texas

Now, at the beginning of the season, the Galaxy were struggling something fierce, quite noticeably in the back line. There can be theories abound as to why the Galaxy were a tad rusty, but one is prominent and I tend to agree with it – they were missing Omar in the back.

Ever since this kid was drafted in 2009, the Galaxy’s back line has been something to reckon with. His work gained him Rookie of the Year honors, and though the Galaxy lost out on the Cup in 2009, Omar’s presence has really helped the Galaxy grow.

In 2011, it finally all worked out and the Galaxy won the Cup. When Omar got back in the line up this season – he suffered an injury in the off season while away on loan – a shaky LA started to find solid ground. In the Dec. 1 final match this season, it was his header that tied the score and helped catapult his team into a rousing finish.

One could argue that Omar’s greatest asset in the back line is his height. Kid is tall. But you need more than that to accomplish what he has in his young career. He’s solid and consistent and, like I pointed out earlier, a needed presence in the back line for his club.

One of the biggest conundrum’s of his career thus far, however, has been his absence from USMNT call ups. He had a few caps under Bob Bradley, but has been a ghost it seems in Herr Klinsmann’s plans. Given the current troubles and out-right fears the current US back line has, it seems like basic common sense to call in one of the most talented defenders in Major League Soccer. A lot of fans and critics are asking why he’s getting the snub – myself included.

Rumors are that Omar is finally on the radar for Klinsmann though. I hope so. Because Omar isn’t cap-tied. And as his parents are Mexican, he could very well cross the border. And I for one will be pretty upset if we lose a talent like Omar to our southern rivals.

So, remember that Jurgen.

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