The Galaxy take a "Memo" and get a future star - Rising Star: Memo Gonzalez - Guillermo Gonzalaz joins Los Angeles Galaxy

Soccer Digest, June-July, 2003 by Scott Plagenhoef

WHEN THE UNITED STATES' U-17 team played its first World Youth Championships qualifying match in March, all eyes on were on 13-year-old sensation and new citizen Freddy Adu. From Sports Illustrated to The New York Times to ESPN's Soccernet.com, Adu was being hailed as the most exciting prospect in U.S. soccer history and, in his age group, one of the most gifted players in the world. By the end of the U.S.'s 3-0 win over Jamaica, another name was on the lips of America soccer fans: Guillermo Gonzalez.

"Memo" Gonzalez has long been a known quantity in youth soccer, but after assisting on the team's first goal and running the midfield with a flair and vision that belied his age, he was quickly identified as another future star and potential senior international. By the end of the year, the 17-year-old central midfielder will start his professional career, joining the Los Angeles Galaxy, who made Gonzalez their first-round pick (eighth overall) in the 2003 draft. "I'm very glad to be in Los Angeles because I will have the opportunity to play near home and be close to my family," says Gonzalez, a Mexican-American from Paramount, Calif. "I'm very happy. I hope to obtain a starting position next year with the Galaxy and continue to work hard. Ultimately, my goal is to play on the senior national team."

The defending MLS champions had the luxury of not needing a player who can give them an immediate boost. As the team started their title defense in Columbus, Ohio, Gonzalez was 1,500 miles away, training and living with the other U-17s at the full-time residency camp at the Botterelli Center in Bradenton, Fla., in preparation for the World Championships.

Gonzalez will join the Galaxy at the end of the season and serve as a tutor to a pair of Latin-American central midfielders: Mauricio Cienfuegos and Alex Pineda Chacon. With the imminent retirement of Cienfuegos--the Galaxy's longtime No. 10--Gonzalez could be asked to play a large role with the team as early as next year. With the U-17's, Gonzalez serves as its offensive fulcrum, leading the team in scoring in 2002 (26 goals, 11 assists in 56 games).

With Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid's flexible, offensive-oriented team, the left-footed Gonzalez could play in any of three advanced, attacking midfield roles. Like forward-turned-winger Cobi Jones, Gonzalez should enjoy the opportunity to roam freely behind lone Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz.

First, however, Gonzalez will play in the U-17 tournament, at which he is expected to be the U.S.'s top player. Most American fans will be watching Adu and dreaming of the future, but the Galaxy's opponents--already fearful of the defending MLS champs--will be watching Gonzalez and worrying about the future.