In the Hudson River Derby, a familiar name appeared on New York City Football Club’s bench: Shannon Gomez. Gomez has not appeared for NYCFC in MLS, but has consistently been an unused sub since their first match against the Chicago Fire. He is currently with the club on a one-year loan from W Connection FC with an option to purchase ahead of the 2017 season. With the sale of Kwadwo Poku, and with Steven Mendoza and Mix Diskerud most likely leaving the club, more minutes are available for some of the reserves.
In comes Shannon Gomez. The 19-year-old is a quick, technical player who can play both right back and right wing. While on trial in the preseason, Gomez impressed the coaches despite only being 5’7″. NYCFC may need help in both positions seeing as Ronald Matarrita recently picked up a knock, forcing NYCFC to play Jason Hernandez, a central defender, at right back. Having a pacy player with technical ability to boot is a rare commodity in the MLS and a team can never have too many players with the aforementioned qualities.
Shannon Gomez’s Past Qualifications
Gomez, while young, is no stranger to big games. He played every minute of W Connection’s four-game run in the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League. In addition to playing in the CCL, he has already appeared twice for the Trinidad & Tobago national team, amassing 84 minutes over two games. Gomez also appeared many times for Trinidad & Tobago Youth Teams, often wearing the captain’s armband. Currently, his only appearance for NYCFC was in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where he impressed at right back and consistently got forward.
Patrick Vieira’s Opinion
Patrick Vieira also thinks very highly of Gomez and believed that he would soon be ready for MLS when Gomez was signed in March. Vieira said
“I think it will take a few months for him to get used to the physicality of MLS.”
Now that he has had a few months to adapt to the MLS, more appearances will definitely be in store for Gomez this season or next season, if NYCFC decide to buy him.
Main Photo: Tim Clayton – Corbis, Getty Images
