#20
Jesse Gonzalez
AGE: 22
COUNTRY: United States
POSITION: Goalkeeper
CLUB: FC Dallas
YEARS PRO: 5
The 2017 season has been a breakout year for Jesse Gonzalez, who is in his first full season as FC Dallas' No. 1 goalkeeper. After preserving shutouts in four of his first six starts of this season, Gonzalez had a one-time national team switch approved by FIFA from Mexico to the US, and was called up for the latter stages of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He is still awaiting his first appearance for Bruce Arena's squad, however. Gonzalez previously held Dallas' No. 1 job toward the end of the 2015 season before falling behind Chris Seitz for the majority of the 2016 season.
What the technical staffers say:
"Jesse was thrown into the limelight a few years ago, he came in, and he did well. He stopped a penalty, his feet were good – and then he fell out of favor because of his decision-making."
"He can make saves, his shot-stopping is there. His distribution is continuing to improve, and it’s the decision-making that goes with the distribution that will help him be more consistent, and then I think it’s the final piece of recognizing when and how to come off his line."
On his future USMNT prospects: “It will depend on his choices on when to leave his line. If he can figure that out and be consistent at it, then sure, [he could be the No. 1]. If not, he’ll end up being a really good goalkeeper but the national team ‘keeper? I don’t know.”
