TORONTO – The last time Toronto FC fans set eyes on Herculez Gomez, he was leading Santos Laguna to a victory over the Reds in the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League group stage, scoring the only goal of the final group match at Estadio Corona in Torreon, Mexico.
It was a grudge match of sorts, as the previous incarnation saw the two sides meet at the semifinal stage. Gomez scored in the first-leg draw and added two more in the return, a 6-2 rout that ended Toronto's final aspirations.
Before the decisive game, Gomez had irked Reds fans by (correctly) predicting their demise in Mexico: “Can you imagine what we can do to Toronto [at home]?” Gomez said at the time. “Just wait [until we] are in Torreon.”
Now, after Friday’s deadline day signing, Gomez wears red, the one-time TFC villain now hoping he can help them to their first-ever playoff appearance.
“Aside from the fact that he scored goals against TFC in the past,” it was his other ties that were important, according to general manager Tim Bezbatchenko.
“He's from the LA-area, has some roots there, has some history with the coaching staff; they're aware of the type of person he is,” Bezbatchenko said. “He's played on the US national team with Michael [Bradley], Jozy [Altidore], and Robbie [Findley], so there is some connection with people in the locker room and with MLS.
“Bringing people in during the summer has its challenges, but Herc won't have that because he knows MLS.”
That may be true, but MLS is certainly different now than it was in 2009 when the 33-year-old played for the then Kansas City Wizards before departing for Liga MX with 23 MLS goals and 13 assists in 124 appearances.
Gomez quickly won a scoring title and established himself as a potent super sub and CCL menace during stints with Puebla, Pachuca, Estudiantes Tecos, Santos Laguna, Tigres and Club Tijuana. He also broke into the US national team, forcing his way into the 2010 World Cup squad.
Gomez even lifted a few trophies – the 2012 Clausura title with Santos, and 2015 Copa MX with Puebla. All this from a player who nearly gave up on the game following a failed stint in Mexico as a teenager before latching on to a third-division club in San Diego and, eventually, the Galaxy.
“He's a winner. He's won championships, both MLS and in the Mexican league,” head coach Greg Vanney, Gomez’s one-time teammate in Colorado, said. “…He's a 'man,' meaning when we get down into these big games, he'll be there, he'll be ready. Nothing that we'll come up against will shock him.”
Nothing’s liable to shake his self-belief, either.
"If I'm being honest, I take pride in winning," Gomez told the Toronto Sun. "I've got a huge chip on my shoulder. I don't feel I get the credit I deserve sometimes and it keeps me hungry and keeps me motivated."
Even though he was out of the country, Gomez never strayed far from MLS circles, establishing himself a respected player perspective via media appearances and, above all, a strong Twitter presence that broadcasts to more than 225,000 followers.
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Because of that, it came as a shock to some when he returned to MLS – a move that required Toronto to trade for the right of first refusal from Kansas City. It was a state of affairs Gomez had expressed frustration with since leaving the league.
He won’t be available against his former team on Saturday when Toronto and Kansas City clash at BMO Field, but Bradley knows exactly what Gomez will bring when he does make his on-field return to MLS.
“Energy. Goals. Certainly, given where he is in his career, some experience, and those are all very important things” Bradley said. “I've played a number of times with him; on the national team we've been in some big games together, so it'll be great to get him here and get him going. You can never have enough good players.”
