Zavier Gozo has described his start to life at Crystal Palace and with the United States senior team as “surreal” after a rapid rise during 2026.
The 19-year-old joined Crystal Palace from Real Salt Lake during the summer after registering six goals and four assists in 16 league appearances. He was also selected for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game before earning his first senior international call-up.
Zavier Gozo then made his USA debut during a 4-1 victory over Peru in Orlando, playing the final half-hour.
Zavier Gozo embracing Premier League learning curve with Crystal Palace
The teenager admitted moving to London has required an adjustment, but believes having fellow American Chris Richards around has helped him settle.
“Being in a city like London, a big city and obviously in a different country, it’s been a big adjustment,” Gozo said.
“But I feel like having guys like Chris [Richards] there to help me and guide me, and make me feel comfortable where I’m at, I kind of have a mini-family like right across the street.”
Gozo also explained that he never expected to move from MLS football straight into a leading role in the Premier League.
“It was just about development for me and just being in a high-level environment,” he said as reported by Palace official site.
He is now focused on learning from his Palace teammates and improving his own game.
“[I’m just] maturing in my game and obviously just learning from every single one of the players and taking the best qualities from each of them and trying to add them to my game.”
On his first USA call-up, Gozo simply described the experience as “kind of surreal” while making clear he wants to compete for his place.
