KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Flashback to April 19, 2022.
Gastón González was still playing in Argentina for Club Atlético Unión, a month ahead of making a move stateside to play for Orlando City.
Late in the match against Atlético San Lorenzo, the winger went down on his way to goal, grabbing his knee. The diagnosis: an ACL tear.
Now, almost one full calendar year later, González is back to almost full strength, getting back on the pitch to the game he loves.
"Thanks to God, I'm fully recovered," González recently told OrlandoCitySC.com. "I'm working every single day to get that little bit extra to continue improving and even to get some of those things that I had back before the injury, but you know, it just keep working every day to continue improving and getting myself ready.
After González arrived in Orlando following successful surgery on his knee, the Lions' medical staff set up a recovery plan for the young winger, preparing him for what would come.
"They specifically helped me with the confidence of going into [the recovery]," he said, "I've never had anything like that [injury] before and the medical staff here was there for me. They told me ahead of time, 'This is gonna be a long and difficult process, but we're here for you and we're going to continue working with you to make sure that we get you back up to where you were before.'
"I think without the help and support of my teammates, the whole technical staff here, and the support staff, I don't think I would have come out on the other side of that as well as I have. It's just thanks to everyone here for that."
The recovery back from injury took about eight months of intense work and one-on-one strength and conditioning training. By the end of 2022, González back to running and even mixing in with small-sided drills. By preseason for 2023, he was a full-go in training and scrimmages, getting valuable minutes in test matches throughout January and February.
It wasn't until the second match of the regular season that González got his debut for the Lions. On March 4 against FC Cincinnati, the winger played the full 90 minutes in a scoreless draw. It was a massive step in the 20-year-old journey back to the form that earned him a transfer to Orlando City in the first place.
Now, after seven games played with the Lions across all competitions, González is starting to get a feel for the style of play in MLS, compared to his boyhood club in Argentina.
"It's totally different," he said, "In Argentina, they still run but they don't quite run as much. It's not the same way of running here. It's box-to-box all the time. Nobody ever stops running. I think it's a little bit different in the way the two different leagues play with the ball but still aggressive in their own ways.
"I think they're still great, and I'm adjusting to this league and taking a look at how I can continue improving."
Orlando City (2-2-2, 8 points) at Minnesota United (3-1-2, 11 points)
When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (free match)
Radio: 96.9 The Game (English), Accion 97.9 FM (Spanish)
