Alan Gordon has been enjoying a career renaissance since rejoining the LA Galaxy last year, and his improved performances have not gone unnoticed.
The 33-year-old was among three Galaxy players named to Jurgen Klinsmann’s provisional roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Joining Gordon are USMNT regulars Omar Gonzalez and Gyasi Zardes.
Compared to his teammates, Gordon is a relative newcomer to the national team having made just a single appearance in a World Cup qualifier against Antigua back in 2012. His last USMNT call-up came in 2013 for a friendly against Mexico but the then San Jose Earthquakes striker did not make an appearance.
“It was great. I was pleasantly surprised. We’ll see what happens,” Gordon told LAGalaxy.com prior to going six minutes in the LA Galaxy’s 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew SC. “It’s just a preliminary roster right now but if they call me up then I’ll be excited. [U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann] sent me a text and once I got it, I was happy.”
Since returning to the Galaxy from the San Jose Earthquakes, Gordon’s career has been revitalized by head coach Bruce Arena. In 2015, Gordon is currently the club’s leading goal scorer with four goals to date.
Gordon has been particularly effective this season off the bench with three of his four goals coming as a substitute. Throughout his career, Gordon has made goal scoring off the bench into an art as his tally of 20 goals in reserve duty trail only Jeff Cunningham’s mark of 28 for the most goals as a substitute in Major League Soccer history.
“Good for Alan to be recognized [by the national team] for what he’s doing here with the Galaxy,” Bruce Arena said.
Zardes, who has become a regular with Klinsmann’s squad in 2015, was quick to echo Arena’s sentiments.
“It’s a wonderful thing for him to be added to the roster,” Zardes said. “He’s a goal scorer. He comes into games late and excels at scoring goals. That’s an amazing quality.”
If Gordon does get the call for the Gold Cup, the Galaxy striker is determined to bring this club success to the international level.
“I’m excited,” Gordon said. “I hope things continue and if I do get that call up then I’ll be very hungry to get my first goal for the U.S.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
