RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has re-signed defender Leo Gonzalez, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.
Gonzalez, 33, has made 98 appearances for Sounders FC since joining the club in 2009 – the fifth-most appearances for Seattle in club history. He matched his career high with 27 starts in 2013 and was voted the club’s Defender of the Year by his teammates.
“Leo had an outstanding season in 2013, and we are happy to reward him with a new contract for the 2014 season,” said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer.
Gonzalez started 33 of the club’s 42 matches across all competitions in 2013, including a team-high 20 consecutive league starts from April 13 to August 31. Fourteen of Seattle’s 15 regular season wins came with Gonzalez in the starting lineup.
Gonzalez, who originally signed with Seattle on July 2, 2009, is one of seven current Sounders FC players who has been with the club since its inaugural season. He has started 126 of his 136 appearances across all competitions, logging 11,138 minutes with one goal and five assists. His 20 appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League are tied with Osvaldo Alonso for the club record.
The Costa Rican international has been capped 60 times, including three starts during the 2006 World Cup. Gonzalez last played for Municipal Liberia of the Costa Rican first division, and previously spent eight years with CS Herediano.
