In a surprise move, the Los Angeles Galaxy transferred star defender Omar Gonzalez to C.F. Pachuca in Mexico’s Liga MX, the club announced. Gonzalez departs after making 180 MLS Regular Season appearances for the Galaxy, tied for the ninth most in club history.
“We thank Omar for his contribution and dedication to this club throughout the past seven years,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “We wish Omar the best of luck with Pachuca.”
Gonzalez, 27, was selected by the LA Galaxy with the third overall pick and once was considered part of the team's foundation for the future. During his seven seasons with LA, the defender was named MLS Rookie of the Year (2009), Defender of the Year (2011), and to four MLS Best XI rosters (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) in addition to winning three MLS Cup titles (2011, 2012, 2014).
However, this past season the Galaxy fell far short of their championship expectations, and with international stars Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, and Giovani Dos Santos on the roster, Gonzalez's salary became a greater problem.
Galaxy face D.C. United in 2016 home opener
The LA Galaxy will open the 2016 MLS Regular Season with a match at StubHub Center on Sunday, March 6, at 7 p.m. PT against D.C. United, Major League Soccer announced today. The game will be broadcast live nationally on UniMás.
In the second match of the season, the Galaxy will travel to face Colorado Rapids on Saturday, March 12, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in what will be the Rapids’ home-opening match of the 2016 season.
The opening match will mark the 42nd time that the Galaxy have faced D.C. United in the MLS Regular Season and the third time that the clubs will face each other in the opening game of the season. In 20 matches against D.C. United at home all time, the Galaxy have gone 10-5-5, scoring 31 goals while allowing 19. The Galaxy are 10-8-2 all time in opening matches.
The Galaxy and D.C. United are the two most storied clubs in MLS history, with a combined nine MLS Cups between the two sides. The Galaxy are the only team to win five MLS Cup trophies, with D.C. United in second with four all time. Additionally, the clubs have won a combined five Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies.
In 2015, the Galaxy went 12-2-3 at StubHub Center during the regular season, scoring and MLS-high 41 home goals and allowing just 16.
Each MLS team will play in 34 MLS Regular Season matches for the 2016 season, with 17 at home and 17 on the road.
The LA Galaxy also announced two friendly matches during the club’s 2016 preseason campaign. The Galaxy will host Mexico’s Club Tijuana at StubHub Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. PT before traveling to Las Vegas for a match at Cashman Field Saturday, Feb. 13, against Northern California rivals San Jose Earthquakes at 7 p.m. PT.
The pair of friendlies will serve to prepare the Galaxy ahead of their matchup against Santos Laguna in the quarterfinals of the 2015/16 edition of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, the region’s premier competition for clubs. The Galaxy host Santos on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at StubHub Center beginning at 7 p.m. PT in the first leg of the series. In the second leg of the quarterfinals, the Galaxy will travel to Estadio Corona Torreon in Mexico to face Laguna on Tuesday, March 1, at 7 p.m. PT.
Club Tijuana, commonly referred to as Xolos, were founded in 2007 and play in Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Baja California. The 2012 Apertura winners were promoted to Mexico’s top flight division, Liga MX, in 2011.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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