EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan González has decided to play for the Mexican National Team
The Monterrey midfielder talked to the Mexican Federation a few weeks ago, and he was convinced to play with El Tri; Juan Carlos Osorio will call him up for the upcoming Bosnia friendly.
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Video EXCLUSIVA: Jonathan González se decidió y jugará para la selección mexicana
El jugador de Monterrey habló hace unas semanas con Dennis te Kloese, quien lo convenció de jugar con el Tri; sería convocado ante Bosnia.
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BY ENRIQUE LÓPEZ Read this article in Spanish HERE
Jonathan González, the Mexican-American midfielder who became a standout during the past 2017 Liga MX Torneo Apertura with Rayados de Monterrey, has decided to represent Mexico instead of the United States.
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Sources have confirmed UnivisionDeportes.com that the player will request FIFA a one-time change of association to represent the Mexican National Team. González developed his career with the U.S. youth national teams, as he was born in Santa Rosa, California.
The decision comes after Dennis te Kloese, the Director of National Teams for the Mexican FA, visited González’s home this past December and had a few talks with Juan Carlos Osorio, the MNT head coach.
González had always expressed his desire to represent the USMNT, but the last few months helped shaped his recent decision.
In November, the midfielder was expected to be called up for the USMNT friendly against Portugal due to his several conversations with former head coach Bruce Arena. After the USMNT failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Arena resigned to his head coaching position and González wasn’t called up by interim coach Dave Sarachan.
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Imagen Mexsport
Jonathan González tiene 18 años. Es mediocampista y juega para Monterrey. Nació en Santa Rosa, California. Ha sido parte de los equipos juveniles del Team USA y a partir de la convocatoria para el duelo ante Bosnia Herzegovina del próximo 31 de enero será parte del Tri mayor.
González was an important asset for Monterrey last semester in reaching the Liga MX finals which they lost to their hometown rival Tigres, 3-2 in aggregate goals.
The possibility to play with Mexico in the 2018 FIFA World Cup has also been part of his decision. UnivisionDeportes.com understands González will be called up for the Mexican National Team for the first time for the Jan. 31st friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina to be played in San Antonio.
González, 18, arrived in Mexico when he was 14 years old to suit up with Monterrey after being scouted at the Alianza de Fútbol tryouts. Since then he has been part of the US youth national teams, where he even captained the U-17s and played in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
Video Jonathan González, el estadounidense que sueña con levantar su primer trofeo con Monterrey
El mediocampista, de padres mexicanos, ha tenido una vida ligada al fútbol, incluso antes de su nacimiento. A sus 18 años, el oriundo de California buscará ganar la Copa MX ante Pachuca.
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This is the first time in history that a player desires to switch associations from the U.S. to Mexico. In contrast, there have been several occasions when players like Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona and most recently FC Dallas’ goalkeeper Jesse González have switch from Mexico to the U.S.
González’s parents wish had always been for him to play for Mexico, although five years ago he even rejected a transfer to Chivas Guadalajara –that only fields Mexican players- in order to keep representing the USMNT.
