Herculez Gomez
- U.S. National Team: MNT
- Position: Forward
- Date Of Birth: April 6, 1982
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 165
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
- Club: Santos (Mexico)
A blazing hot goalscoring streak for Puebla in 2010 put Gomez back on the map for the U.S. National Team, ultimately leading to his participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup where he saw time in three of four matches. His timing and nose for the goal have been matched by his perseverance throughout his career in MLS and Mexico. Gomez became the first U.S. player to lead a league in scoring outside the United States, tallying 10 goals in 14 appearances in the 2010 Torneo Bicentenario in Mexico. A seven-year veteran of MLS, Gomez scored the winning goal for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.
- Made three appearances in South Africa, including a start in the 1-0 victory against Algeria while getting minutes against Slovenia and Ghana
- Scored his first goal for the U.S. in the 4-2 loss to Czech Republic in the Send-Off Series, finishing the year with a career-high six games played
- Earned his first cap for the U.S. during the 2007 Copa America, coming on as a sub against Argentina in the opening match
- Made his first start for the U.S. in the team’s third group game in Venezuela, featuring in the starting 11 against Colombia
- Moved to Pachuca after a stellar season for Puebla, becoming the first American to finish a top the goalscoring chart of a foreign league when his 10 goals tied him with two other players during the 2010 Torneo Bicentenario in Mexico
- Had a breakout season for the Galaxy in 2005, scoring 18 goals in all competitions including the game-winner in the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final
2010: Made a career-high six appearances … Started in the USA’s 1-0 victory against Algeria on June 23 that put them through to the knockout phase of the World Cup …Entered in the 80th minute of the 2-2 draw against Slovenia on June 18, drawing the foul that set up the potentially game-winning goal by Mo Edu that was nullified by a foul inexplicably called against the U.S. … Played the 30-minute extra time period against Ghana in the Round of 16 loss … Scored his first career international goal in the 4-2 loss to Czech Republic on May 25 in the Send-Off Series … Tallied the USA’s third goal in the 3-1 win on June 5 against Australia … Got 23 minutes against Brazil on Aug. 10 in New Jersey … 2007: Named to the 2007 Copa America roster, he made his debut for the U.S. on June 28 against Argentina … Started the third group game on July 5 against Colombia … First Appearance: June 28, 2007, vs. Argentina … First Goal: May 25, 2010, vs. Czech Republic.
2010: Moved to Pachuca in the summer after a successful spring campaign with Puebla … Used exclusively as a reserve in the Torneo Apertura, he made 12 appearances in league play … Scored his lone goal in 3-1 win on Sept. 25 against Tecos … Played in both of Pachuca’s matches in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, including a start in the 2-2 draw on Dec. 18 against Al Wahda … Scored 10 goals in 14 games with Puebla in the Torneo Bicentenario, earning him a share of the top spot in the Mexican Primera División and becoming the first U.S. player to finish first in league scoring outside the United States … Proving to be a super sub, he made only six starts … Went a tear of tallying eight goals in 10 matches, including a stretch of five consecutive games from Feb. 17 to March 14 … Six of his goals either tied or won games … Notched a pair in 4-1 victory on April 18 against Cruz Azul … 2009: Appeared in 26 games, recording three assists on the season … First point of the year came on assist against San Jose Earthquakes in 2-0 win on April 5 … Converted game-winning penalty in U.S. Open Cup third round match against Minnesota Thunder to advance Kansas City to the quarterfinals … 2008: Debuted on Sept. 7 for Kansas City at Houston as second half replacement for Josh Wolff in 70th minute … Scored first goal of Kansas City career in dramatic fashion on Oct. 18 in stoppage time against the San Jose Earthquakes … Sent off in 75th minute of Eastern Conference semifinals and missed second leg while serving one-game suspension … 2007: Traded to Colorado Rapids as part of a package for goalkeeper Joe Cannon … Scored the first ever goal at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on April 7 against D.C. United … Finished with four goals and two assists in 20 games … 2006: Scored five goals and tallied three assists in 30 games for Los Angeles … 2005: Voted as Los Angeles Galaxy’s Team MVP after scoring 18 goals in all competitions ... A key factor in Galaxy capturing the Double as MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup champions … 2004: Spent time with the San Diego Sockers and San Diego Gauchos … 2003: Appeared in one game after signing with Los Angeles Galaxy as a developmental player … 2002: Scored 17 goals in 17 games for the San Diego Gauchos … Scored a goal and was sent off against the Minnesota Thunder on June 26 in the U.S. Open Cup.
Born in Los Angeles to Mexican-American parents, he speaks fluent Spanish … Oldest of five children … His favorite book is Yo Soy El Diego, the autobiography of Diego Maradona … Lists Cobi Jones as his favorite U.S. player all-time.
