Washington González

NSL Career: Melita Eagles 48 (2) / 1989/90 - 1990/91

Uruguay Career: 32 (0) A Internationals

One of the greatest South American imports in the history of the national league, Washington González brought an abundance of international experience and class to one of the league's smaller clubs when Melita made their way back in to the top flight of Australian football.

Spending most of his career as a left-back, González was used to great effect in a sweeper role for Melita, playing alongside fellow South American Alfredo Barrios. Composed and skilful, González read the play at an elite level and consistently tested opposition keepers from free-kicks.

González grew up in Montevideo, Uruguay and started his career with local club Defensor in the Uruguayan Primera División, making his first team debut at the age of 19. Comfortable in both defensive and midfield positions, González was part of the side that won the 1976 Primera División before making his national team debut in 1978.

The defender was selected in Uruguay's 1979 Copa America squad, making two appearances in the group stages before moving to Nacional in 1980. With Nacional, González won the Primera División, Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in his first season at the club. Uruguay failed to qualify for the 1982 World Cup but made up for it by winning the Copa América in 1983 in which González started in all of Uruguay's eight matches, including both legs of the final against Brazil.

With Nacional, González won the 1983 Primera División and Estadio Centenario Championship, which celebrated the Centenario being the first and only stadium to be declared a Historical Monument of World Football by FIFA. González moved to Racing Club in Argentina's Primera División in 1985.

Due to politics and the emergence of Uruguayan stars such as Enzo Francescoli and Rubén Sosa, González missed out on selection for Uruguay's 1986 World Cup squad - their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Unable to get back in to the national team fold, González spent another season in Argentina with struggling side Platense before moving to Australia in 1988.

González won back-to-back NSW State League Championships with Melita Eagles before the club earned promotion to the NSL for the 1989/90 season. Long-time Melita coach Raúl Blanco's attractive South American style of play suited the former Uruguayan international, who led by example in defence.

The Melita side failed to qualify for the final series as one of the smaller clubs in the league, however, González stood-out for his ability to read the play and started many of Melita's attacks. A free-kick specialist, González regularly challenged opposition keepers with his powerful drives and his only goal of the season, which came against Adelaide City, was from approximately 40 metres out and was considered one of the goals of the season.

The talented Melita side, mixed with youth and experience, improved in the 1990/91 season and reached the NSL Finals Series for the first time. González's second NSL goal which came during the season was again considered one of the goals of the season - scoring a power drive from a laid-off free-kick against South Melbourne. 

González was instrumental in Melita claiming their first piece of silverware in the NSL as the club defeated Preston one-nil in the NSL Cup Final. In the final series, Melita lost their first game in a thrilling three-all draw against Marconi which ended in a penalty shoot-out in which González converted Melita's second penalty in a four-three loss. The veteran hung up his boots following Melita's elimination semi-final loss at the age of 35. González remained in Australia where he has had various coaching roles in New South Wales and Queensland, as well as stints in Oceania.