Raúl González (footballer, born 1994)

Raúl González III (born 23 September 1994) is a Puerto Rican footballer who plays for USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC and the Puerto Rico national team. He is usually employed as a central or attacking midfielder.

Raúl González
González playing for Richmond Kickers in 2017.
Personal information
Full name Raúl González III
Date of birth (1994-09-23) 23 September 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Ocean Springs, Mississippi, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2007–2011 Gulf Coast United
2012–2013 IMG Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Memphis Tigers 65 (13)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 Des Moines Menace 7 (1)
2017–2018 Richmond Kickers 56 (5)
2019–2021 Memphis 901 27 (1)
International career
2021– Puerto Rico 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Youth and college career

edit

From 2007 to 2011, González played youth soccer for Gulf Coast United's development program. In 2012 to 2013, he played at as a forward/midfielder for the U-18 IMG Academy. He also played four years of high school soccer for Ocean Springs High School. In addition, he was a varsity letter-winner for track, football and baseball.

Club career

edit

Between his junior and senior years of college, González played in seven matches for the Premier Development League side, Des Moines Menace. He made seven appearances and tallied one goal for the Menace.[1]

On 30 March 2017, González signed a professional contract with the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League. He scored his first goal for the Kickers on 21 May 2017 in a 1–1 away draw at Rochester Rhinos.[2]

González joined USL Championship expansion team Memphis 901 FC ahead of the 2019 season. Unfortunately, he sustained a season-ending knee injury during a preseason friendly match against Louisville City FC on 20 February 2019.[3]

International career

edit

In October 2020, it was announced that González agreed to represent Puerto Rico internationally for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification set to start in 2021.[4] He made his international debut on 19 January 2021, as a starter in a 1–0 away friendly win against the Dominican Republic.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Raul Gonzalez - Des Moines Menace Player Stats and Bio". Premier Development League. uslpdl.com. July 16, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  2. ^ Romig, Mark (May 21, 2017). "Gonzalez Scores First Professional Goal in Draw on the Road". Richmond Kickers. richmondkickers.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "Statement from Memphis 901 FC Head Coach Tim Mulqueen Concerning Raul Gonzalez III". Memphis901FC.com. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Valentín, Laurendi y González, disponibles para defender los colores patrios". Puerto Rican Football Federation. fedefutbolpr.com. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "Histórica victoria de Puerto Rico ante República Dominicana". Puerto Rican Football Federation (in Spanish). 19 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
edit