Jorge Gonzalez is one of the assistant coaches at Tormenta FC, and when he’s not getting the players into top physical shape, you can find Gonzalez out in the community. Gonzalez helps his community by teaching the sport we all love to those kids that want to learn.
Gonzalez was born in Palmira Valle del Cauca to Colombian parents; however, he departed to the United Kingdom after a few years. He was raised there until he departed to the United States. Gonzalez jokes around, saying, “those who meet me might be perplexed as to when I speak English, I have a British accent, but I am Latino! So many ask themselves, ‘how?’”
Gonzalez arrived in the United States in 2010, when he attended Bryan College and played for their men’s soccer team all four years. “Soccer has always been a blessing and has always opened many doors for me,” Gonzalez said.
Jorge Gonzalez is one of the assistant coaches at Tormenta FC, and when he’s not getting the players into top physical shape, you can find Gonzalez out in the community. Gonzalez helps his community by teaching the sport we all love to those kids that want to learn.
Gonzalez was born in Palmira Valle del Cauca to Colombian parents; however, he departed to the United Kingdom after a few years. He was raised there until he departed to the United States. Gonzalez jokes around, saying, “those who meet me might be perplexed as to when I speak English, I have a British accent, but I am Latino! So many ask themselves, ‘how?’”
Gonzalez arrived in the United States in 2010, when he attended Bryan College and played for their men’s soccer team all four years. “Soccer has always been a blessing and has always opened many doors for me,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez joined Tormenta FC in 2016, when former Head Coach John Miglarese brought him in as part of his USL League Two coaching staff (formerly known as PDL).
“My community is everything because if it were not for our Statesboro community, we would not be here today,” Gonzalez comments. “I love teaching the sport to anyone who wants to fall in love with it. I have been here since 2016, and since day one, I have felt at home.”
Futbol was always part of Gonzalez’s life. So how did his love for the sport start? “Soccer is something that was always in our home from hitting the ball in the street with my friends to playing at school. Outside of religion, music and food, soccer follows.
“Futbol is something that unites the community and unites people of many paths and different lifestyles. For example, there may be a person who has a lot of money or someone who has almost none, but the moment you start playing soccer, it’s the same field, the same goals, the same ball. Futbol is very beautiful, and it is a blessing that God gives us to be able to play this sport that we love very much.”
Gonzalez plays an essential role throughout the small but mighty Latino community in Statesboro – “the guy from Tormenta,” as he is often referred to. When it comes to futbol in Statesboro, Gonzalez is the man. He does everything from hosting tournaments to hosting free clinics for the community to helping Tormenta FC win games on the field.
Gonzalez joined Tormenta FC in 2016, when former Head Coach John Miglarese brought him in as part of his USL League Two coaching staff (formerly known as PDL).
“My community is everything because if it were not for our Statesboro community, we would not be here today,” Gonzalez comments. “I love teaching the sport to anyone who wants to fall in love with it. I have been here since 2016, and since day one, I have felt at home.”
Futbol was always part of Gonzalez’s life. So how did his love for the sport start? “Soccer is something that was always in our home from hitting the ball in the street with my friends to playing at school. Outside of religion, music and food, soccer follows.
“Futbol is something that unites the community and unites people of many paths and different lifestyles. For example, there may be a person who has a lot of money or someone who has almost none, but the moment you start playing soccer, it’s the same field, the same goals, the same ball. Futbol is very beautiful, and it is a blessing that God gives us to be able to play this sport that we love very much.”
Gonzalez plays an essential role throughout the small but mighty Latino community in Statesboro – “the guy from Tormenta,” as he is often referred to. When it comes to futbol in Statesboro, Gonzalez is the man. He does everything from hosting tournaments to hosting free clinics for the community to helping Tormenta FC win games on the field.
“We went to lunch at Surcheros [a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant], and there were two or three Latinos who were on their lunch break, and we started talking," Gonzalez said, recalling a meaningful interaction with a group of fans. "They liked soccer, so we invited them to the game, and I do not remember who we played against, but I remember the moment I heard a shout, “Hey, Jorge, Jorge!” I looked and they were there, they brought their wife, the children and everyone was filled with joy!
“We won that game,” Gonzalez added. “They told me they were our lucky charms, from then on, they kept on coming! And for me, it’s a very nice thing. As Latinos, it comes from the gut, from our heart. So it was very heartwarming to see how happy they were.”
A big part of Tormenta FC is helping the community, and although it is a football club, the community is always first.
“I think everyone at Tormenta FC wants to win the league, we know we have what it takes to bring the title to Statesboro, but we do not take the focus off our community, especially with the children who are growing up, who are beginning to love soccer, we want to be a positive influence to kids in the area.”
Gonzalez’s final message to the community is simple: support local.
“We need your support this year; we have so much to show the community, the stadium is set to launch soon, and we want everyone in Statesboro to be there,” Gonzalez said. “We want to do many beautiful things with you, off the pitch and on the pitch. I know 2022 will be a very successful year.”
“We went to lunch at Surcheros [a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant], and there were two or three Latinos who were on their lunch break, and we started talking,” Gonzalez said, recalling a meaningful interaction with a group of fans. “They liked soccer, so we invited them to the game, and I do not remember who we played against, but I remember the moment I heard a shout, “Hey, Jorge, Jorge!” I looked and they were there, they brought their wife, the children and everyone was filled with joy!
“We won that game,” Gonzalez added. “They told me they were our lucky charms, from then on, they kept on coming! And for me, it’s a very nice thing. As Latinos, it comes from the gut, from our heart. So it was very heartwarming to see how happy they were.”
A big part of Tormenta FC is helping the community, and although it is a football club, the community is always first.
“I think everyone at Tormenta FC wants to win the league, we know we have what it takes to bring the title to Statesboro, but we do not take the focus off our community, especially with the children who are growing up, who are beginning to love soccer, we want to be a positive influence to kids in the area.”
Gonzalez’s final message to the community is simple: support local.
“We need your support this year; we have so much to show the community, the stadium is set to launch soon, and we want everyone in Statesboro to be there,” Gonzalez said. “We want to do many beautiful things with you, off the pitch and on the pitch. I know 2022 will be a very successful year.”
