González Pirez, 28, became one of MLS’ most dominant defenders as he starred in Atlanta United FC’s backline between 2017 and 2019. Aided by his leadership, Atlanta United qualified to the MLS playoffs in its inaugural 2017 season, won the 2018 MLS Cup, the 2019 U.S. Open Cup and the 2019 Campeones Cup. Individually, González Pirez was named to the 2019 MLS All-Star team and was nominated to the MLS Defender of the Year award twice in three years (2017 and 2018). Outside of MLS, the center back has recorded over 120 appearances, featuring for top flight Argentine sides Club Atlético River Plate, Club Atlético Tigre, Arsenal Fútbol Club and Club Estudiantes de La Plata, Belgium’s KAA Gent and LigaMX’s Club Tijuana. On the international stage, the Buenos Aires, Argentina, native has represented his home country at the U-17, U-20 and U-22 levels.
The 6-foot-1 center back came through the youth ranks at Argentine first division giants Club Atlético River Plate before making his professional debut for the senior side in March of 2011. With the club, González Pirez registered one goal in 35 appearances and helped the team win the Primera B Nacional title in the 2011-2012 season, getting promoted back to Argentine first division. During his time at River Plate, the defender went out on loan twice, in 2013 to Belgian Pro League side KAA Gent and in 2014 to Argentine first division team Arsenal Fútbol Club, where he made five appearances in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, the most important competition at club level in South America.