July 15, 2009

Terps in the Pros

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After helping Maryland capture the 2008 NCAA Men's Soccer National Championship, Omar Gonzalez took his talents to Major League Soccer, landing with the Los Angeles Galaxy after being drafted third overall in the MLS SuperDraft. The defender is the only member of the Galaxy that has started in all 17 games this season.

Gonzalez took time to chat Beckham, next year's Terps and much more with Umterps.com while in his hotel room on the road in New York City.

Umterps.com: How's life in Los Angeles?

OG: It's great. The weather is great. I am happy. Playing with the Galaxy is more than anything I could have ever expected. The players on the team and Bruce (Arena) and the entire coaching staff believe in me and it's just great.

Umterps.com: Former Maryland backline teammate A.J. Delagarza was also drafted by the Galaxy in the offseason. Do you spend a lot of time with him?

OG: He's actually sleeping right now so I'm trying to be quiet! We've been roommates every trip and we live together so we are always together. It's all pretty chill. A.J. and I get along very well.

Umterps.com: Former Maryland teammates Graham Zusi (Kansas City Wizards), Rodney Wallace (D.C. United) and Jeremy Hall (New York Red Bulls) also headed to the MLS after winning the national title in 2008. Have you been following how they are doing in the MLS this season?

OG: I know they are doing very well and I am very happy for them. We play Jeremy tomorrow night and I expect him to do well. He'll be up against one of our veteran players, maybe Eddie Lewis. I don't know yet. Eddie Lewis is a great player and so is Jeremy so I know he'll have his hands full.

Umterps.com: David Beckham has returned to the United States after being on loan to AC Milan of Serie A in Italy. He also returns to a bit of controversy after one of your teammates - Landon Donovan - called him out in a recently published book. What's it been like to have him back with the Galaxy so far?

OG: I've only practiced with him once, but it was really fun. To watch him live was just great. The media is actually pretty much what I expected. Things aren't too bad.

Umterps.com: How have you had to change your game to fit the style of the MLS?

OG: I think I've grown up quite a bit. I'm learning my role a lot more. With veterans like Tony Sanneh and Greg Berhalter, they are making stuff a lot easier for me. I just think I understand what I am supposed to do better.

Umterps.com: The first goal of your career was a header from a set piece off a corner kick from Landon Donovan that looked awfully similar to a couple goals you scored while with the Terps. What did that feel like and did you do a `Ludwig Leap' like fans got accustomed to in College Park?

OG: It was great. I just couldn't believe I scored. I'd like to get some more. Something like Maryland...but I changed it up a little bit.

Umterps.com: Prediction for the 2009 Terps?

OG: I think they are going to do well. They will make it into the NCAA Tournament because Sasho (Cirovski) will drive them that way. We are going to be young, but I think that we are going to be able to pull it off and go far.

Gonzalez, Delagarza and the Galaxy take on Hall and former Maryland standout Seth Stammler and the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night at 8 p.m. on the Fox Soccer Channel.