The hottest striker eligible to play for the US is in Mexico as Herculez Gomez scored his 8th goal in the last 10 matches for Puebla. For those of you who are visual learners, here's Gomez in MLS: And here's Gomez in Mexico: Get it? Gomez was born in Los Angeles, raised in Las Vegas and then moved to Mexico and Cruz Azul's second division side. After a couple of years in Mexico, he moved to the San Diego Gauchos of the PDL, where he caught the eye of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Gomez kicked around on a couple of loans until Landon Donovan was called out for National Team duty for the 2005 Gold Cup and Gomez took advantage. He scored the winner in the US Open Cup (that's American for the domestic cup that we only care about when our team wins it because we don't get what it is) and ended up with 18 goals in all matches and finished tied for fifth in MLS with 11 goals. He then fell out of favor with Steve Sampson and scored just 13 goals over the next 4 years in MLS. He also bounced around with Colorado and Kansas City, both of whom played him on the left wing. Gomez moved on to Puebla and started at forward from day one and has responded with 8 goals in his last 10 matches. This lead to a mistranslated report from Mexico claiming that Gomez stated that he was contacted by Bob Bradley about joining the National Team and a lot of clamoring from fans to put Gomez on a plane to South Africa, possibly as a starter next to Jozy Altidore. Here's Ives' article from Fox Soccer and the stuff that got cut in a SoccerByIves post. My take? Gomez scored 11 goals in 2005, when he played 22 matches and just 1,500 minutes as a forward. By comparison, Donovan played about 1,900 minutes as a forward and scored 12 goals, which gives Gomez the better strike rate. I'm not going to say he's better than Donovan as that would be foolish, but if he keeps up, he'll be in the best form to play next to Jozy Altidore on June 12. Better yet, Altidore was at his best when Davies was at full speed running next to him. Gomez doesn't have the strength and size that Davies does, but he provides the speed and finishing to get Altidore space against Terry and Ferdinand in two months time. Gomez needs to go to South Africa with this team.
In case you need another visual, here you go: Herculez in MLS: Herculez in Mexico, with a lion in a headlock: If you need more visuals, let me know, I'll find something else.
Gomez in MLS. Gomez in Mexico. I brought some old school Nintendo there, hope you all can keep up. One thing you can't keep up with is Herculez Gomez in Mexico. He's scored twice today, bringing him to 10 in 12 and taking him one off of the Mexican League lead with 45 minutes and another match to go. EDIT: I was following @SoccerByIves on twitter for the information above. Gomez is actually in a three way tie now with Chicarito and Johan Fano with 10. Fano is the only one playing next week, as Gomez was sent off with a second yellow.
Gomez in MLS. Gomez in Mexico. Yessir, back for more. This time SBI has a story on Gomez and his preparations for a chance at going to South Africa. He's joined Chivas USA for training so he can stay in game shape for the start of the US camp. He's also keeping an eye on the exploits of Edson Buddle as the two are likely competing for one spot, assuming Davies is health. Here's the article. Considering he's training for a chance to train with the team before they start their friendlies, I'd say he's taking this pretty seriously. I hope he gets a real shot and shows some skills.
Herculez in MLS Herculez in Mexico In today's most important soccer news story, Herculez Gomez has signed with Pachuca. With Jose Francisco Torres and his younger brother already with the Gophers, it is being suggested that the team be referred to as Pachucamerica, in homage to the dearly departed Fulhamerica days of yore. After leading Mexico in goals in the Clausura last season, Gomez was available on a free as he signed with Puebla just for the competition. Gomez will be aiming to make himself Pachuca's second American regular as Torres has established himself as first choice playmaker in the center of the park. As for the younger Torres, I can't say that I am familiar, but rumors are strong that he could be joining the elder Torres and Gomez with the senior roster next season.
Gomez in MLS Gomez in Mexico That's Harry Houdini kids. I simply cannot get enough Herculez Gomez news. In today's news, Clint Dempsey thinks Jozy Altidore is ugly, Jose Francisco Torres likes the window seat, and Hercluez Gomez is a fucking magician. [video=youtube;5TwrYiygySc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TwrYiygySc&feature=player_embedded[/video] And it appears that Torres is getting in the habit of picking up assists for Gomez before they even start with Pachuca, but after reviewing the video, I can't see what Torres actually does. I'm still wondering where the trick is, but, as Gomez says, "Its MAGIC!"
