[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Unless he's selected to represent the USA at the World Cup, Herculez Gomez's season is over -- and quite a season it's been. Before being red-carded late in Puebla's 4-1 win over Cruz Azul on Sunday, the American striker scored twice to give him 10 goals and a tie for first place among Mexican First Division goal scorers and to lead to further calls for his inclusion on the U.S. World Cup team.

“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,” Gomez told AP. “I know about odds, and I know the odds are stacked against me.”

Gomez, who grew up in Las Vegas, scored 10 goals in only 758 minutes of play -- he was mainly used as a substitute -- for a scoring rate of 1.18 goals every 90 minutes.

He credits his form on being healthy after enduring two knee operations in three years and playing up front again.

Gomez spent five years in MLS -- he was voted the Los Angeles Galaxy MVP in 2005 when it won MLS and U.S. Open Cup titles -- and praises the league for making him the player he is today.

He also spoke highly of U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley, for whom he made two brief appearances at the 2007 Copa America.

“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.”

His red card against Cruz Azul means he's suspended for the regular-season finale Sunday at Toluca.

All he can do now is wait for a phone call.