DALLAS, Texas – El Salvador’s 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage may have ended with a 1-0 defeat to Mexico, but there were many positives to take from the game for the Central Americans, perhaps more than anything the performance of GK Mario Gonzalez.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper was nothing short of spectacular against El Tricolor, rescuing his side with a number of flying saves to keep El Salvador within a score.
Playing in big-time games is always a motivation for Gonzalez, and even more so when it is against an opponent like reigning Gold Cup champions Mexico.
“It was one of my best games with the national team. Plus, Mexico is an opponent that demands a lot from you. All of the opponents that we have played have been improving. We know about Mexico’s quality, so one has to be really focused to try to counter what they are trying to do,” said Gonzalez in an exclusive interview with concacaf.com.
“We tried to keep a clean sheet, it didn’t happen, but now there’s another phase of the tournament coming up for us and it’s the most important one,” added Gonzalez.
Overall, Gonzalez was left pleased with how El Salvador performed, going toe-to-toe with El Tricolor in the final 45 minutes.
“The first half was a bit tough for us, but we improved a lot in the second half and the team looked good. It played with intensity and we had enough chances, but sadly the ball didn’t go into the net. What will stay with me is the performance of the team. I think it was really good as we head into the next phase,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also took a moment to describe the feeling of being a goalkeeper that is “in the zone”, meaning that there is a belief that he can save any shot that comes his way.
“The confidence that making a big save gives you and that you are able to handle things, especially in front of a full stadium, it is very motivating. It provides a lot of motivation to make those tough saves and I am very happy that I was able to make them,” concluded Gonzalez.
