TUKWILA, Wash. – Herculez Gomez is back in Seattle.
The ex-Seattle Sounder and U.S. national team veteran inked a contract with his former club on Thursday, bringing him back to the Emerald City for the first time in 13 years.
“It’s good; it’s nostalgic. I was 20 last time I was here,” said Gomez, who played for the Sounders back in 2003.
The Sounders were an A-league team then and Gomez was on loan from an LA Galaxy side that was under the helm of former Galaxy boss and current Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid. Gomez was originally spotted by the Galaxy coaching staff while he was played with the San Diego Gauchos of the A-League.
“I think it was 2001 and he was 19 at the time.” Schmid said. “It was a training game; my assistant coach had already seen him play once and said, ‘Hey, you might want to look at this kid.’”
Schmid remembers Gomez back in those days, and what impressed him about the young prospect.
“He was certainly feisty and competitive,” said Schmid. “Nobody handed him anything; he had to earn his way up to the top.”
Schmid and company signed Gomez to a developmental contact and then loaned him to the Sounders shortly thereafter, where he played for current Sounders assistant Brian Schmetzer.
“It’s neat to see how much they’ve grown and how much I’ve grown,” Gomez said. “It’s come full circle really. We’ve had a special kind of relationship with each other. It feels right.”
It’s been a jovial homecoming for Gomez, who has been seen about town after he began training with the team last week. Gomez was spotted taking photos with fans on social media and attending fan functions such as the March to the Match ahead of the Sounders’ match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 19.
“Few teams around the world have the support that Seattle has,” said Gomez, who has played for 13 clubs across the US, Mexico, and Canada. “Just to see how much they’ve grown as an organization, what they’ve been able to achieve, and how the city’s been able to embrace them. It’s incredible.”
Despite the fanfare and his distinguished background, Gomez knows he must be ready to compete. In a roster stacked with international veterans, many of whom have or still do represent their country on a world stage, game minutes are at a premium with the Sounders.
“I’m eager to get to work,” said Gomez. “I have to prove that I belong and I’m excited to do that.”
Added Sounders GM and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey: “He’s going to come out here and compete; he hasn’t been promised anything. If he’s the best option, he’ll play. If not, then he won’t.”
Gomez makes eight total forwards that the Sounders now have under contract ranging from young and unproven players to Clint Dempsey, who Gomez played with at the 2010 World Cup.
“Sigi’s been very honest with me and that’s all any player can ask for with coaching and management,” Gomez told reporters. “If I can work hard and show that there’s a place for me, then I’ll get an opportunity, and I think that’s amazing.”
With 16 years of experience and on both the club and international level, Gomez brings more than just talent.
“He’s a good guy; he’ll have a good presence in the locker room,” said Schmid. “He’s a survivor; he perseveres and that’s a quality he brings to our team.”
Added Gomez: “I still feel like we can achieve a lot more, the team can achieve a lot more, I can achieve a lot more. That’s something I feel we have in common, is that hunger.”
