There aren’t many Seattle Sounders left from the team’s very first season, but Leonardo Gonzalez, also known as “Leo,” has that claim to fame. Born on November 21, 1980, he is a defender for the team. Gonzalez’s number is 12. He weighs 174 pounds and stands at 6’1. Some say that Gonzalez is the face of the team, having been around this long and still playing strong.

During his career, Gonzalez has played in 137 games, starting in 120 of those. He has scored two goals and played a total of 10,638 minutes on the field during the regular season. He has both played and started in 12 post-season games, scoring no goals during those. During his career, he has accumulated 23 yellow cards and two red cards.

Although not known for his speed, Gonzalez does have the ability to “read” his opposition, accommodating his movements to match his opponents’ with his skillful observations. He is the team’s defensive supporter, using his intuition to feign opponents and maintain the Sounders’ lead.

Gonzalez is Costa Rican. He was born in San Jose, Costa Rica and began his soccer career with the Herediano team. He played for them from 2000 to 2008. In 2009, he played for Municipal Liberia as well as the Sounders, which is where he has been ever since. He also played for the Costa Rica team internationally from 2002 to 2009.

As a Sounder defender, Gonzalez is known for his quiet strength on the field. While some players get hot-headed during play, he usually maintains an even keel. Even though he once was known for his card accumulation, he’s earned no red cards and very few yellows during the past few years. Sigi Schmid has praised Gonzalez, saying that his natural left-footedness allows him to play left back and center as well as play wide. He says Gonzalez also “does a good job defensively.”

Some of Gonzalez’s honors in the past have included the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014, the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2014, the Primera Division de Costa Rica in 2009, and the UNCAF Nations Cup in 2007.

Gonzalez’s full name is Leonardo Gonzalez Arce. A domestic player for the MLS roster, he received his green card in 2011. His parents are Alice Arde and Jose Gonzalez and he has two brothers. His wife’s name is Alejandra Abarca Hernandez and together they have two kids.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia