Sounders FC's new defender adjusting to life in Seattle, MLS

Leonardo Gonzalez hasn't been in Seattle a week, but today the defender from Costa Rica will already be playing his second match for his new team.

Talk about making adjustments.

For starters, Gonzalez had to get himself, his wife and child settled in a foreign country. Then there were two days of practice before he made his debut Wednesday in Sounders FC's friendly against the world's best team, FC Barcelona. In that game, he had to defend the amazing Lionel Messi.

Then there were a couple more practices, and his first trip with the team, to Sandy, Utah, where he is expected to make his Major League Soccer debut against Real Salt Lake tonight.

Gonzalez, 29, is in Seattle to solidify Sounders FC's left fullback position. He's got a group of Spanish-speaking teammates to help him fit in, but learning some English will be key.

"For him, it's a matter of learning some key English phrases that are important for him as he is talking to whoever is playing in front of him or talking to the center backs in the middle," Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said.

Gonzalez was signed last month but played with Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup before arriving in Seattle for good.

"But you don't play in World Cups and play 65 internationals and not have some understanding of the game," Schmid added. "I think he has shown he has an understanding of the game and he gives us a different option of attacking over the left side, which we really haven't had maybe up until this point."

Versatility is Gonzalez's game. He can play inside and outside on defense and even slide up to midfielder. Observations from the Barcelona game indicate Schmid might like to use Gonzalez as a defender who can push forward and be used to help with the team's attack, the same role defender James Riley plays at right fullback.

Alexander Aguilar, a sports writer from the Al Dia newspaper of Costa Rica, describes Gonzalez, who has played for top clubs in his native country and had a trial in Europe, as a "gladiator" who as a youngster never liked to lose and fought hard to win.

"I had to mix it up in there because the others were bigger," Gonzalez told Al Dia. "I had to fight for balls and not be afraid. I learned how to use my body and learned the desire to succeed."Gonzalez learned of MLS from other Costa Rican players who came to play in the league.

"Here, the league has a better infrastructure, better fields and stadiums," Gonzalez said. "In Costa Rica the conditions for a player aren't optimal. The soccer here is very intense ... it's more dynamic, faster and up-tempo."

And Gonzalez has found Seattle and its fans to be quite hospitable.

"It makes you want to work harder to win home games," Gonzalez said. "I've been all over the U.S. to play, and I'm very glad to be here in Seattle."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com