Sebastian "Chamagol" Gonzalez has long torn apart Mexican defenses. Since joining Atlante in 2002, the Chilean striker has been one of the top goal scorers in the Mexican First Division.
Now, he is one step away from taking his goal-scoring antics to the next level.
"To have the chance to play in a tournament like Libertadores is great motivation; it's a dream of mine that I've had for quite some time," Gonzalez said. "Now, I'm just 90 minutes away from that."
With a win over rival Monterrey in the first of two InterLiga finals Sunday, Tigres would qualify directly to Copa Libertadores. Gonzalez could play a large role in Sunday's match. Throughout his seven-season career with Atlante, Gonzalez has wreaked havoc on opposing defenses. Gonzalez has finished in the top 10 in goals scored four times, including a 16-goal outburst in just his second season in Mexico.
However, Gonzalez has not tasted the kind of success he could on Sunday. Atlante has been mired toward the bottom of the league tables the last two seasons as the club has won just nine of their last 34 regular-season games.
Now, Gonzalez adds another piece of artillery to Tigres' already loaded arsenal. Twice in the last five seasons, Tigres has been second overall in goals scored; once, they've led the league. Walter Gaitan has been the catalyst, having scored 67 goals in his seven seasons with Tigres.
Since joining Tigres following the Apertura 2005 season, Gonzalez said he has not looked back.
"Without a doubt, to come here to Tigres and have all this in front of me is very motivating," Gonzalez said. "I don't regret coming here. I like it here and I hope I'm here a long time."
Gonzalez can endear himself with Tigres fans with a good showing in Sunday's Clasico Regiomontano. Tigres and Monterrey played in a tough league semifinal series in December in a series that players said is still fresh in their minds. Gonzalez might be the piece to the puzzle that could put Tigres over the top in the rivalry.
However, his former coach might have something to say about that. Miguel Herrera, now coach of Monterrey, was Gonzalez's first coach when he joined Atlante as a 23-year-old in 2002. Under Herrera's tutelage, Gonzalez helped Atlante become a playoff contender.
Now the two will be on opposite sides in the middle of one of Mexico's most intense rivalry. Gonzalez said he was a little surprised to find himself in the midst of this derby.
"I never imagined it would come this quickly and outside of Mexico even and even less with as much riding on the game as there is," he said.
Although he's only played one game with Tigres, Gonzalez said he understands the recent history of the club. A potent attacking force, Tigres has nevertheless failed to translate the goals into trophies. Even though Tigres is seemingly a perennial title contender, the club has not won a Mexican league title since 1982.
Tigres won InterLiga 2005 and reached the quarterfinals of Copa Libertadores, and Gonzalez would more than love to partake in bringing some more success Tigres' way.
"We've been showing we are capable of success," Gonzalez said. "Management, the fans, everybody surrounding the team wants us to win a tournament and I hope we do it now."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to InterLiga.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.
