CARSON, Calif. – Omar Gonzalez had been waiting for a set piece goal throughout the 2013 season, and finally, in the closing stages of the LA Galaxy’s 4-2 victory over Real Salt Lake, he found the back of the net to end a remarkable week.
The Galaxy’s newest Designated Player was his usual effective self on the defensive end against RSL, but in the 75th minute, he was able to nod a Landon Donovan corner kick past ‘keeper Nick Rimando and into the back of the net.
“I’ve been waiting for a set piece and maybe a week ago I said hopefully some more will be coming and tonight I got one which I’m really happy about,” said Gonzalez. “I think that I could have got two more. But I think I’m happy with the one and hopefully I can just build off that.”
Immediately after his goal, Gonzalez had a few words for his RSL counterpart Nat Borchers, who was marking him on the play. The Salt Lake defender had his arms wrapped around Gonzalez on the play, but LA’s newest DP was able to burst free in able to get a head on the Donovan corner.
As for what was said between the two defenders? Simply “smack talk” according to Gonzalez.
“There was a little bit of smack talk before the ball was hit. Borchers was talking some smack, but I think that I got the last laugh,” said Gonzalez. “There’s a little bit [after the goal], we were still going out it during the next two chances that I got. I wish that I could have scored on those chances too.’
To score his first goal of the season in a victory in a win over a conference rival just days after signing a new contract proved to be a perfect cap to the week for Gonzalez.
“It feels great,’ said Gonzalez. “Scoring after signing my contract was great and I just want to help this team win and do whatever I can to help this team win whether it’s scoring goals or just keeping the zero. Tonight, we didn’t keep the zero but I helped on the other end so I just want to contribute anyway that I can.”
