PUEBLA, Mexico -- United States defender Omar Gonzalez has highlighted the potential of the national team's young attacking stars ahead of important friendlies, one month before the U.S. takes on Mexico to start the Hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying.
Speaking at Estadio Cuauhtemoc after Pachuca's 1-1 draw with Puebla in Liga MX on Sunday, Gonzalez said he was excited by the development of young U.S. attackers Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris.
"There's a lot of great talent in the forward position right now for us," Gonzalez told ESPN FC. "The other day I was watching Champions League, and I saw Pulisic send in the cross to tie the game.
"So that was really exciting -- to see him do that against Real Madrid. It's just awesome to see him doing so well there, and Jordan Morris scoring two goals against my [LA] Galaxy. Morris' team [the Seattle Sounders] is now close to reaching the playoffs and Bobby Wood is scoring where he's at [Hamburg].
"All in all, I think the guys are doing really well and we just need to keep it going so that when we hit [Mexico on] Nov. 11, everyone is in form and ready to go."
Gonzalez, who played as a striker in the last 10 minutes of the match against Puebla, notching an assist to help Los Tuzos secure an important away point, is unsure of what's to come for the team in its upcoming 10-day camp in Miami.
But he thinks it will play an important part in the U.S. team's hopes in the Hexagonal against Mexico.
United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann has called in a mix of veterans and emerging talents to his squad ahead of the matches against Cuba and New Zealand on Oct. 7 and 11, respectively.
"I think it could be the key to us having a great start. It's not going to be easy," Gonzalez said. "I mean, playing home against Mexico for the first game, and then in the second game, we have to play away at Costa Rica. So we need to be ready.
"I think that's why Jurgen is calling the main guys, and I'm excited to be part of that group.
"I really don't know what's in store for us in this camp. It's definitely going to be interesting to play away at Cuba, and then playing against New Zealand in D.C., so I'm just going there to work hard, be a good team guy, and if my name gets called give everything I have to the team."
Gonzalez was overlooked for the U.S. squad in this summer's Copa America squad, but he returned in September's World Cup qualifiers and played 90 minutes in a 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Asked how he feels about returning to the squad this month, Gonzalez said: "My plan is to go there, compete, make it hard for other players to play against and be the solid player that I am.
"And just have fun. I mean when you go to the national team it's always an honor, and I'm really excited to be going to Miami [on Monday]. I look forward to seeing all the guys."