But it will be short sighted of any opposition to draw parallels in Gonzalez's tomfoolery and Team USA's commitment and desire to lift the cup for the first time.
Her hijinks are simply a device to break the monotony and lethargy that may creep into the collective's ritual.
"Your attitude and trying to have some fun are the big components of results," says the two-time (2012 London, 2016 Rio) Olympian who made her debut in 2010 before helping US claim gold in the PanAm Games the following year.
The States have rattled enough cages lately for others to sit up and take notice of the world No 6 seriously.
They beat world No 3 Argentina 2-1 last August and Australia by the same margin at the same tourney in Buenos Aires.
While the prudent may argue world No 4 Hockeyroos and world No 5 Black Sticks are undergoing a cycle of rebuilding, Gonzalez emphasises the Americans also have lost several older heads who, between them, had close to 1000 caps.
"But we have some great talent coming in and I know we are focused on ourselves and our development, so this is a great opportunity for us moving forward on the different styles of hockey played and to learn on those different mindsets."
The Peeksill, Cortland-born midfielder, who attended Lakeland High School, has 192 caps from representing her country.
Are the Americans giant killers?
"I think we're trying not to dwell on the outcome of the past but trying to focus internally on what we can control and that can potentially be a result."
For many players it's their first decent reunion, since Rio, to refine their systems.
Gonzalez takes the broken-record clause when asked what their chances are of winning the cup. Yep, it's a case of just controlling the controllables and the rest will take care of itself.
The vice-captain, who may wear the captain's armband here, sprinkles the American template with words such as "tenacious", "resilience", "culture" and "ethos" to map an edict that demands players are pushing the threshold of their capabilities in trying to put the opposition through the spin-dry cycle for 60 minutes.
In case Australia, the Black Sticks and Japan have any doubts, Team USA are hell bent on upping the physicality stakes.
The daughter of Yolanda and the late Felix Gonzalez says the mantra of hustling and bustling requires a level of professionalism where they are constantly flirting with the whistle but not finding themselves on the wrong side of the law.
"We're trying to get the skills of breaking up play but then doing all the leg work in getting back to tackle in the middle of the pitch."
Having come from the Northern Hemisphere winter, the drizzly temperate climes taking hold of the Bay in the past week is a welcome transition although yesterday the signs were ominous with a latent, searing heat.
Team USA trained in a warmer Californian climate in the west coast.
"Any time you play the Australians you know it's going to be a good match because they're a very talented team."
Schopman, who was predecessor Craig Parnham's assistant, brings a different style which Gonzalez reckons "isn't a bad thing".
"We're coined as a team who are physical and fit but I think she brings a bit of finesse that brings out a yin-and-yang balance of newer, middle-range and experienced players."
With the squad in "full residency", they take to the turf from Monday to Saturday and, in between, attack the gym for that chiselled body.
Gonzalez, stereotypically, grew up playing soccer, following her two elder sisters into hockey by default because, as the baby of the siblings, she had no choice but to tag along when her parents took them to sporting events.
"It was very similar to soccer so for me it was an easy transition," she says, enjoying the hand-eye co-ordination.
Gonzalez says after Rio Olympics she feels she still has a lot to learn from the game and the culture, and, in return, a lot to offer.
"I've been very fortunate so far with my body," she says, lauding the coaching stable and teammates for setting professional standards.
No doubt, the hunger to become world No 1 is always there but to set oneself up for success is imperative so that when she walks away there'll be no harbouring regrets.
Gonzalez says Team USA are very grateful for the opportunity to be in the cup.
"Coming to New Zealand also is a great experience and we love the culture and as a team it's ideal for us to start working towards our goals."
