The Sounders Monday re-signed 33-year-old defender Leo Gonzalez, who matched his career high last season with 27 starts and was voted the club’s Defender of the Year. Gonzalez has made 98 appearances for Seattle since joining the club in 2009, the fifth-most appearances in club history.
“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 last season, including a team-high 20 consecutive league starts from April 13 to Aug. 31. Fourteen of Seattle’s 15 regular season wins came with Gonzalez in the starting lineup.
Gonzalez, who signed with Seattle July 2, 2009, is one of seven Sounders 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 Rica first division, and previously spent eight years with CS Herediano.
