The MLS announced on Friday that FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez has been suspended amid allegations of domestic abuse following a report received by Frisco Police. Major League Soccer said that Gonzalez agreed to enter the league’s program for substance abuse and behavioural health, and that he will not be allowed to return to playing until he is cleared by the program’s doctors and the internal MLS investigation into the claims in concluded. In the meantime, Gonzalez will not be joining any team training or activities that FC Dallas will be holding.
The MLS said in a statement: “FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez has been suspended by Major League Soccer following a report made to the Frisco Police Department alleging incidents of domestic abuse. The MLS is conducting an independent investigation into the matter and will remain in close communication with FC Dallas, local law enforcement and the MLS Players Association throughout the process.”
In their own statement, FC Dallas aligned itself with the MLS: “FC Dallas takes these matters extremely seriously and fully supports the league’s swift action to suspend the player while investigation is taking place. We continue to work closely with Major League Soccer regarding this.
25 year-old Gonzalez grew up in Texas and made his first appearance in FC Dallas youth academy in 2010 at the age of 15. Five years later, Gonzalez became the club’s youngest starting goalkeeper at the age of 20. He has been playing for MLS side FC Dallas since 2013 where he registered 106 appearances with the club, including 2 appearances this 2020 MLS Regular season before the league went into shutdown amid coronavirus public-safety concerns.
Being a Mexican and American citizen, Gonzalez was eligible to represent both national teams. After several appearances with Mexico’s youth national team, he was invited to join the USNMT and has filled with FIFA paperwork to move over and play for the US side.
