LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The only Nevadan to ever play in the World Cup, now has been given a great honor by his home state, a proclamation announcing April 6th as Hérculez Gomez day, the same day as his birthday.
"Vegas surprises me more and more, every time I come back,"
Hérculez Gómez said during a press conference after the proclamation was announced Saturday.
Achieving international fame with the U.S. Soccer team during the 2010 World Cup, Hérculez Gómez is now playing with Mexican Club Santos Laguna, who is set to face Real Madrid Sunday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Hérculez Gómez said Sunday's game is a huge opportunity for Las Vegas to attract a professional soccer team.
"Las Vegas this city is an amazing city, and it's hungry for a sports team, and this is an amazing opportunity for Las Vegas to showcase exactly what they have and I hope they bring it because whether some people would like to admit it or not this is almost a trial run."
Hérculez's younger brother also competed in a major sporting event this weekend.
29-year-old Ulysses Gómez debuted in his first UFC fight Saturday, with less than 2 weeks' notice to train.
Although he didn't have much time to prepare, as he recently told FOX5's Jon Castagnino on Sports Plus, it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
"My whole goal when I started this sport was to fight in the UFC, you know and this is the first step," Ulysses Gómez told Castagnino last week.
Ulysses lost to John Moraga Saturday in Los Angles.
But his brother says he'll be proud to share the spot light with him in the future.
"This will be the first of many fights for him. I wish him nothing but the best, Vegas has a proud representative with him," Hérculez Gómez told FOX5.
Hérculez's success also inspires Ulysses not to give up.
"Not to over shadow my brother, because I don't think I can at this point, I think it's just the simple fact that if he can live out his dreams, why can't I?" Ulysses Gómez said.
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