Lynden Gooch’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Lynden Jack Gooch (born December 24, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Sunderland in the Premier League.

Career

Youth

Gooch was born in Santa Cruz, California to a English father (whose was born in Colchester) and an Irish mother (whose was born in Dublin). His father is a professional soccer coach. At an early age, he joined the U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Santa Cruz Breakers Academy. Gooch’s talent attracted the attention of several European outfits, earning him a trial and eventual spot with Sunderland’s youth academy. From the age of 10 Gooch traveled to Sunderland regularly during school holidays to train before moving to England and joining full-time at the age of 16, signing a two-year scholarship. Since joining the Sunderland U-16 side, Gooch worked his way through the U-18 and U-21 sides. Because of this, he signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2017.

Professional

On 27 February 2015, Gooch went on loan to Conference side Gateshead, on a 28 days youth loan. Gooch made his professional debut soon after, playing the whole game, in a 1-0 loss against Bristol Rovers. Gooch made seven appearances and scored one goal, putting the Tynesiders ahead in a 3–1 home win against Wrexham and causing an own goal by opponent Steve Tomassen.

Gooch made his professional debut for Sunderland on August 26, 2015 in a League Cup second round match against Exeter City, coming on for Adam Matthews in the 58th minute of a 6–3 win at the Stadium of Light. On January 21, 2016, Gooch was loaned for a month to Doncaster Rovers of League One. He made his debut for them two days later, playing the full 90 minutes of a goalless draw at Fleetwood Town and his performance was praised by The Star. After a handful of appearances for the club, it was announced that on 24 February 2016 that his loan with Doncaster Rovers was extended till then end of the season. After extending his loan spell with the club, he continued to impress until on 19 March 2016 when he returned to Sunderland, due to ankle injury that he sustained against Fleetwood Town, but continued to play through the pain for eight matches. He left playing 10 games and failing to score. Following this, Gooch signed a three-year contract with Sunderland, keeping him until 2019.

On 13 August 2016 Gooch made his Premier League debut, starting away against Manchester City in Sunderland’s first match of the season, in a 2–1 defeat. After making his debut, Sunderland Echo commented on his performance, describing him as “Energy, fearlessness and endeavour”. Gooch continued to appear in the first team despite being on the substitute on numerous occasions, before suffering an injury that kept him out between two and three months.

International

Gooch is eligible to play for England (due to his English father), Republic of Ireland (Irish mother) and United States (the country he was born).

After appearance once for the Republic of Ireland U18 side, Gooch switched allegiance to United States after being called up for United States U20, Gooch made his United States U20 debut on 15 November 2014, in a 1-0 win over Republic of Ireland U21. Gooch represented the United States under-20 team at the 2015 CONCACAF Championship in Jamaica, playing four games as they achieved qualification for the year’s World Cup in that category.

On 2 October 2016, Gooch was called up to the senior team for a pair of friendlies against Cuba and New Zealand. Six days later, on 11 October 2016, Gooch made his USA team debut, officially making USA Soccer at home, where he played 31 minutes after coming on as a substitute, in a 1-1 draw against New Zealand. His second national appearance came on 15 November 2016 when he appeared in the 70th minute of a Concacaf World Cup qualifying match at Costa Rica.

Club statistics

As of match played August 27, 2016.

Personal life

Gooch’s brother, Anthony, played college soccer for the San Diego State Aztecs men’s soccer program and currently works for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. Gooch has another brother, Darshan, who is a professional surfer.