Herculez Gomez grew up in Las Vegas, so he understands the odds are against him wearing the U.S. jersey when the Americans open the World Cup against England on June 12.
But he may be worth a bet. The Vegas kid is on a roll.
Gomez scored two more goals Sunday for Puebla in a 4-1 victory over Cruz Azul. He has 10 to tie for the league lead and is threatening to become the first American to finish as the Mexican first division's top scorer.
He had eight goals in a 10-game stretch earlier in the season, mostly as a substitute coming off the bench.
"I know I'm the longest shot there's ever been in the U.S., but I'll take it. That's all I can do,'' said Gomez, who has played only twice for the U.S. national team for a total of 67 minutes three years ago. "I know about odds, and I know the odds are stacked against me.''
U.S. coach Bob Bradley is thin at forward. Two of his top three are sidelined - Charlie Davies (injuries from an October car crash) and Brian Ching (hamstring). Only Jozy Altidore seems certain to play, which makes it difficult to write off a striker such as Gomez who is scoring - and one named for the greatest hero of Greek mythology.
"A lot has to do with luck and timing,'' Gomez said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I'm going to do everything I can in my power to be ready if called upon.''
It was Gomez's father who named his son Herculez and spelled it with a "z'' to match the "z'' on Gomez.
"All the nurses thought he was crazy,'' Gomez said. "He just wanted to give my name a little ring.''
His season hasn't been a myth.
Gomez is tied for the scoring lead with Javier "Chicharito'' Hernandez of Chivas Guadalajara, who is expected to move next season to Manchester United on a $9.1 million transfer, and Peruvian Johan Fano of Atlante.
Hernandez has finished his club season and is training with Mexico's national team. Gomez's club season might also be over.
Although he scored twice Sunday, Gomez also was given two yellow cards, which should rule him out of the regular-season finale Sunday at Toluca. Puebla is appealing the second yellow card, which Gomez got for simulation - or diving.
"I'm not holding my breath. You know how these things go,'' Gomez said. "But I think the league would like to see a race for the goal-scoring title.''
The 28-year-old entered for the U.S. national team as a second-half substitute against Argentina and started in the game against Colombia at the 2007 Copa America. But he fell off the radar afterward playing with the Galaxy, Colorado and Kansas City. In Major League Soccer he was used mostly at outside midfield, where defense can count more than offense.
Since joining Puebla in January from Kansas City, he's been playing up front, logging 758 minutes - mostly as a substitute - for coach Jose Luis Sola.
"I think the style of play suits me a little bit better here,'' said Gomez, who has had surgery twice in the last three years on his right knee. "To be quite honest, it's been a while since I've played up top as a forward. That could be the reason. I know where I'm dangerous and where I can help a team out. I think my most dangerous place to be is in front of the goal.''
Gomez, who was born in Los Angeles and moved to Las Vegas as a child, acknowledges his inconsistency hurt him in MLS and probably kept him from getting more chances with the national team. He and Landon Donovan led the Galaxy to the 2005 MLS Cup title. But that was as good as it got.
He scored 12 league goals that season with the Galaxy - one coming in the playoffs. In three more seasons in the MLS he scored only 11 league goals, all in the regular season.
"I started off showing a lot of promise, but I fell a little short of what people were expecting and so it was frustrating,'' Gomez said. "But I'll be quite honest. I learned a tremendous amount playing in the MLS and I owe a lot to the MLS. I'm the player I am today because of the league.''
Bradley must submit a 30-man preliminary roster to FIFA by May 11 and the 23-man final roster by June 1. U.S. Soccer Federation officials will say only they are aware of Gomez. Also vying for a look at striker is the Galaxy's Edson Buddle, who has played only once for the U.S. national team and has scored all seven Los Angeles goals during a 4-0 start.
Asked for a comment, Bradley offered hardly anything.
"As a staff we are constantly monitoring and evaluating the fitness and form of U.S. players both here and abroad,'' the taciturn coach said.
In an interview last week, Donovan said that only about 15 spots on the U.S. roster likely were filled and suggested giving a wide look. He said the roster was less certain than it was ahead of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
"At this point, you would have to think everything is an option,'' Donovan said. "Clearly I'm not the coach and I don't make these decisions, but I always err on the side of caution. And what I mean by that is you take the players that are one, playing, and who are playing the best at the time. And I always think that's the best formula. Now, not everyone sees it that way, but that's my personal opinion.''
Gomez said he was grateful for the support.
"He is a great player,'' Gomez said. "For somebody like him to say that, it definitely gives you encouragement.''
Gomez knows he will have to prove himself to Bradley, just as he's had to win over skeptical fans in Mexico where he seen as the unproven
"Gringo.''
"I work hard every day to show the fans they didn't make a mistake in bringing an American in here,'' Gomez said.
The U.S. opens a training camp on May 15 on the East Coast of the United States and has exhibitions against the Czech Republic on May 25 (East Hartford, Conn.) and against Turkey on May 29 (Philadelphia) before leaving for South Africa.
Gomez has become a minor celebrity in Puebla, located 70 miles east of Mexico City. His parents, Manuel and Juanita, attended Sunday's game on one of their few trips back to their native Mexico. His girlfriend Kristiane Thompson also has been to Puebla to absorb the excitement.
He spoke glowingly of Bradley and said there would be "no hard feelings'' if he isn't picked.
"I have all the faith in the world in Bob,'' he said. "I think he's a great coach. What I'm going through right now is something I am going to be telling my kids about when I'm older. It's been such a great ride. It's going to something for the rest of my life that will be hard to top.''
Of course, pulling on the U.S. jersey in South Africa at the world's most-watched sporting event would be even better.
"It felt amazing wearing it coming in against Argentina. That was incredible,'' Gomez said. "I can't really describe what it would feel like to wear it in the World Cup, on the world's biggest stage. For a soccer player, that's the maximum goal.''
