SSH2 update is rejected

Centos 7 server on Google Compute Instance. Working WordPress for some time. I have 3 users that can ssh into the server with private keys without problems. Each time I try to update a plugin with your plugin I get this message:
Failed to connect to SSH2 Server x.x.x.x:22
If SELinux is installed check to make sure that httpd_can_network_connect is set to 1

I set the wp-config with your entry as noted
I have port 22 open to everyone while testing via Google firewall
I have httpd_can_network_connect set to ON (which I checked)
I looked into the logs and only see this entry on my attempt:
sshd[765]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session closed for user (myname)

I routinely FTP via ssh to the site.

Cannot figure what setting is actually wrong