José Gonçalves

Out of contract following 2016 season.

PRONUNCIATION: joe-SAY gone-SAHL-ve

Club captain was named MLS Defender of the year in his first season. A physical dominating center back who brings poise and experience to the defense. Goncalves also brings the ability to finish off when he gets forward on set pieces.  

OUTSIDE MLS: Began his career as a teenager in 2002 with Switzerland’s FC Basel then moved to FC Winterhur of Switzerland’s Challenge League (second division) for the first half of the 2004-05 season, before moving to Italy’s Serie B side Venezia for the second half of the season. Following a half-season in Italy, moved back to Switzerland to FC Thun where he made 26 appearances with FC Thun, including 10 appearances in UEFA Champions League action. Goncalves signed with Lithuania’s FBK Kaunas in January 2006, but was immediately loaned to Scotland’s Heart of Midlothian where he went on to appear in 57 matches for Hearts between 2006 and 2010, while also going on a season-long loan FC Nuremberg (2 Bundesliga) for the 2008-09 campaign. Next Goncalves signed with Swiss Super League club FC St. Gallen in January 2011 and made 17 appearances at the end of the year, following FC St. Gallen’s relegation, Goncalves moved to FC Sion, where he played until coming to New England.

INTERNATIONAL: Goncalves represented Portugal seven times at the Under-21 level.

PERSONAL: Is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian, French and German.