Back then, Gozo was a day removed from learning that he wasn’t among Mauricio Pochettino’s 26 selections for the World Cup, having just made what proved to be his third-to-last appearance with boyhood club Real Salt Lake. Gozo had only ever lived in Utah at that point. He would watch the World Cup from home, where he lived with his mother.
Today, less than five months later, he lives half a world away, is getting Premier League minutes and, as of a week ago, his first cap with the senior US men’s national team. He has joined a familiar face there, at least, in his new international teammate – Chris Richards. The center-back has become a stalwart for club and country since joining Palace in 2022.
He’s an every-minute option along the back, arguably their lead defender following the recent exits of Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix. Gozo has evidently endeared himself to Richards’ young daughter, too.. Then again, landing alongside a compatriot was far from the biggest hook that helped Gozo opt for Palace.
It seems like they always have a player that’s coming through their system that’s either sold for a lot or just becomes a very good player. And obviously, when Chris was there, I was just following them, and him, and their success. I feel like I knew a fair amount.” Given Gozo’s ambitions, Palace’s track record of developing players from both their own academy and players brought in from other clubs was a significant reassurance.
Their trophy cabinet and its rapidly waning open shelving was another boost, and their place in the Europa League offered even more games for Gozo to make his mark. By the end of his time in MLS, Gozo hardly showed a flicker of fear. On one occasion, against Atlanta, he collected a ball at the edge of the final third near the right touchline with minimal attacking support.
Rather than wait for support, he swiftly put the defender marking him through the spin cycle, cleverly dribbling infield and uncorking a curler to the far post. Four weeks later, against Kansas City, a split-second at the edge of the box was all he needed to execute a bombastic self-volley. Rather than taking an incremental step up in difficulty, he’s now contending to make the bench in the world’s most competitive league.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
