Azriel González Explained

Azriel González
Fullname:Azriel González
Birth Date:24 May 2001
Birth Place:Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Spokane Velocity
Clubnumber:24
Youthyears1:–2015
Youthclubs1:Heat FC
Youthyears2:2015–2017
Youthclubs2:Seattle Sounders FC
Years1:2017–2021
Clubs1:Tacoma Defiance
Caps1:69
Goals1:10
Years2:2021
Clubs2:FC Edmonton (loan)
Caps2:16
Goals2:5
Years3:2022
Clubs3:York United
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2022
Clubs4:FC Edmonton (loan)
Caps4:23
Goals4:3
Years5:2023
Clubs5:Las Vegas Lights
Caps5:21
Goals5:3
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Spokane Velocity
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Club-Update:October 21, 2023

Azriel González (born May 24, 2001) is an American professional soccer player for Spokane Velocity in the USL League One.

Early life

González has been with the Seattle Sounders FC academy since 2015 when he was 13.[1] In 2016, González's first full season in the academy, González scored 12 goals and 6 assists in 18 matches with the U-16s.[2] In that same season, the team won the Youdan Trophy, a tournament held in Sheffield, England, with González earning Golden Boot honors after scoring five goals and two assists in five matches.[3]

Club career

On April 25, 2017, González made his debut for USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2 (later renamed Tacoma Defiance) in a 3–2 defeat to San Antonio FC. He was subbed in at the 71st minute but was sent off after receiving a straight red card for a two-footed, sliding challenge in stoppage time.[4] On June 3, 2017, he logged his first assist, the game-winning goal, in a 3–0 victory over LA Galaxy II.[5] On July 17, 2017, he officially signed with Sounders FC 2, moving from the Seattle Sounders FC's academy to their USL team, and became the youngest player in club history to sign a professional contract.[6] On July 20, 2017, González made his first professional start, playing the full 90 minutes, in a 2–0 defeat to Swope Park Rangers.[7] On July 23, 2017, after making his second professional start, he was substituted off in the 43rd minute after he sustained a right lateral ankle sprain.[8]

The 2017 season marked the first time that González had trained with Sounders' first team. González spent time with the first team during its preseason, training in Seattle and traveling with the team to Tucson, Arizona for preseason friendlies.[9] He again joined the Sounders' first team with preseason training in Chula Vista, California before the start of the 2018 season with a number of other academy players.[10]

On August 11, 2021, he joined FC Edmonton of the Canadian Premier League on loan.[11]

In April 2022, González signed with York United on a one-year contract, with club options, and was immediately loaned to FC Edmonton.[12] In December 2022, York United declined González's option for 2023.[13]

González was announced as a new signing for USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights on January 25, 2023.[14]

On May 24, 2024, González signed with USL League One side Spokane Velocity for the remainder of the season.[15] [16]

International career

González has represented the United States a number of times playing at the U-16 level.[2]

Style of play

A quick, skillful and creative player, González is capable of playing in several offensive positions. He is usually deployed as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, and has even been used as a lone striker.[17] His club manager Ezra Hendrickson described him as "a gifted and motivated player with great instincts and technical abilities" and later described González as "an excellent finisher and very good at 1v1 defending".[17] [18] When describing himself, he stated, "I'm a player that tries to take players on and am confident with the ball".[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: For Sounders Academy players like Azriel Gonzalez, it's a taste of the big time. Baker, Geoff. Seattle Times. SeattleTimes.com. April 26, 2017. January 30, 2017.
  2. Web site: Azriel Gonzalez called in to United States U-16 Boys National Team. Mondello, Joseph. SoundersFC.com. April 26, 2017. March 13, 2017.
  3. Web site: Seattle Sounders U16s return from Sheffield as Champions. Mondello, Joseph. SoundersFC.com. April 26, 2017. August 12, 2016.
  4. Web site: Sounders FC 2 falls to San Antonio FC 3-2 at Starfire Stadium. SoundersFC.com. April 26, 2017. April 25, 2017.
  5. Web site: 16-year-old Academy product Azriel Gonzalez earns first USL assist in S2 victory. Liljenwall, Ari. SoundersFC.com. June 6, 2017. June 4, 2017.
  6. Web site: Sounders FC 2 signs midfielder Azriel Gonzalez. SoundersFC.com. July 18, 2017. July 17, 2017.
  7. Web site: Swope Park Rangers top Sounders FC 2 by a score of 2-0 at Starfire Stadium. SoundersFC.com. July 21, 2017. July 24, 2017.
  8. Web site: S2 struggles continue in Sacramento but season remains successful. SounderAtHeart.com. July 25, 2017. July 26, 2017.
  9. Web site: Academy players train in Tucson with Sounders FC. Mondello, Joseph. SoundersFC.com. April 26, 2017. February 6, 2017.
  10. Web site: Academy prospects relishing opportunity to train with Seattle Sounders First Team in preseason. Mondello, Joseph. SoundersFC.com. January 24, 2018. January 23, 2018.
  11. Web site: FC Edmonton adds midfielder Gonzalez on loan for 2021 season. August 11, 2021. Canadian Premier League. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke.
  12. Web site: York United FC announces the signing of Azriel Gonzalez. April 1, 2022. York United FC.
  13. Web site: York United FC announces roster updates ahead of 2023 season . December 23, 2022. York United FC.
  14. Web site: LIGHTS FC ANNOUNCE NEW COACHING STAFF & INITIAL PLAYER SIGNINGS FOR 2023 SEASON.
  15. Web site: Spokane Velocity FC adds winger Azriel Gonzalez. USLLeagueOne com. Staff. May 24, 2024. USL League One.
  16. Web site: Spokane Velocity FC Signs Left Winger Azriel Gonzalez.
  17. Ezra Hendrickson on what Azriel Gonzalez brings to S2. Interview. Youtube.com. Seattle Sounders FC. July 18, 2017. July 20, 2017.
  18. News: Gonzalez Signs with Sounders FC 2. USLSoccer.com. July 17, 2017. July 20, 2017.
  19. Azriel Gonzalez on signing with Sounders FC 2. Interview. Youtube.com. Seattle Sounders FC. July 18, 2017. July 20, 2017.