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18-Year-Old American Jonathan Gonzalez Named In Liga MX Best XI

Récord, a Mexican daily sports newspaper, has named 18-year-old American midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez in its Torneo Apertura Best XI following a sensational breakthrough season for the California native at Monterrey.

After signing with Monterrey in 2014, Gonzalez advanced through the youth ranks before becoming a mainstay in the heart of Los Rayados’ midfield throughout the 2017 Apertura season. Monterrey finished at the top of the table in the regular season before losing in the final to Tigres.

Jonathan Gonzalez Liga MX Best XI

Gonzalez playing in the Liga MX final vs. Tigres. Photo: @NatsAbroad | Twitter

Gonzalez appeared in 15 regular season games, all six playoff matches and four Copa MX ties in the defensive midfield role. His play was consistently praised my Argentine manager Antonio Mohamed and relegated Mexican international Jesus Molina to a substitutes’ role. 

Gonzales has appeared for the United States program at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels, but he’s yet to appear for the senior side. Gonzalez is also eligible to play for Mexico, but the teenager has so far made it clear that he wishes to represent the country of his birth.

However, Mexico national team director Dennis te Kloese has recently revealed that the federation hasn’t given up on persuading Gonzalez to switch his international allegiance. 

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