Welcome to the USMNT, Jesse Gonzalez

U.S Soccer announced this morning via twitter that FC Dallas goalkeeper and homegrown player Jesse Gonzalez has had his one-time switch to the United States approved by FIFA, and he’s now officially a part of the USMNT player pool.

The 22-year-old keeper was born in Edenton, North Carolina but grew up in Texas where, as a 16-year-old, he signed with FC Dallas and beginning his career in their academy. Gonzalez would eventually become the FC Dallas starter in late 2015. He lost the starting job in 2016, spending most of his time on the bench. He’s turned things around and has become a standout starter for Dallas in 2017.

As far as his international career goes, Gonzalez played for the Mexican national youth teams, including two starts at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In December 2015, rumor had it he was going to join the USMNT for its annual January Camp. Gonzalez changed his mind and became a member of Mexico’s U-23 setup and was named to the preliminary roster for the 2016 Olympics.

This is why he had to file a one-time switch which automatically cap-ties him to the United States going forward. He was named to the Gold Cup preliminary 40-man roster by Bruce Arena. While his paperwork wasn’t approved at the time, he can now play for the USMNT after the group stage of the Gold Cup.

This season he’s played 1,237 minutes making 28 saves, while allowing just 11 goals. He’s faced a total of 39 shots on goal and is second in the MLS with a goals allowed average of 0.85 (only Tim Melia of Sporting Kansas City is better with a 0.67).