Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 6y

Jonathan Gonzalez says World Cup spot wasn't guaranteed before switch

Former U.S. youth international Jonathan Gonzalez said his decision to choose Mexico at full international level was difficult and that no one in El Tri's set-up promised him a spot at the World Cup.

Dual national Gonzalez had been involved with U.S. youth national teams from the under-14 to under-20 levels, but opted to file for a switch of association with FIFA earlier this month to play for Mexico and was called into coach Juan Carlos Osorio's squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

"The decision wasn't easy," said Gonzalez in a news conference in Monterrey. "I spoke a lot with my parents. They were fundamental in this. It's because of them I'm where I am."

The 18-year-old Santa Rosa, Calif. native said the short, medium and longer term plans the Mexican federation put forward convinced him to switch, but he was given no guarantees about Russia 2018.

"[They said] they couldn't promise anything and that it'll depend on each player to win a spot in the group," said Gonzalez.

The young Monterrey midfielder's move from the United States to Mexico has opened a debate in the U.S. about why a talented player was allowed to slip to bitter rival El Tri, with Gonzalez indicating that he never received a call-up to the full U.S. national team and only received texts and phone calls from U.S. Soccer.

"Mexico was the country that opened the doors to me to accomplish my dream," said Gonzalez. "I'm Mexican. My family, all my roots are Mexican. You can tell I am Mexican by looking at me."

Gonzalez and Monterrey travel to Guadalajara to face Chivas on Saturday in Liga MX play, before the midfielder joins up with the Mexico national team squad, who are scheduled to arrive in San Antonio on Monday ahead of the game against Bosnia.

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