D.C. United has reacquired Argentinian playmaker Christian Gomez, one of its most decorated players, from Colorado one year after trading him away following the acquisition of Marcelo Gallardo and a dispute over a new contract.
In exchange for Gomez, 23-year-old goalkeeper Mike Graczyk, an international roster spot and salary cap considerations, United sent midfielder Ivan Guerrero, the Designated Player roster spot that had been used on Gallardo, and a second round 2010 draft pick to the Rapids.
“Christian’s a special player, a special person,” said United general manager Dave Kasper. “He understands what we’re all about. He’s a great fit for our style of play. A lot of his teammates wanted him back, and it just makes sense.”
Gomez, 34, originally joined United in 2004, helping capture MLS Cup that season. He was a named the MLS All-Star team and Best XI each year from 2005-07, including being named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player in 2006. Unable to come to terms on a renegotiated contract after the 2007 season, Gomez left D.C. with 43 goals and 30 assists in 108 regular-season and playoff appearances over three and a half seasons.
“Things were always very cordial,” said Kasper. “Professionally, we just never reached an agreement with him to sign a new deal, and we moved on. But we’re very excited to get him back, and the relationship is fine. We’ve spoken to him at length about it.”
Gomez’s departure came on the heels of the arrival of fellow countryman and playmaker Gallardo, who earned $1.9 million in just one season with D.C., and decided not to return in 2009 after an injury-plagued campaign in which he had four goals and three assists over 15 regular season appearances.
“Ultimately, where it really broke down [with Gomez], to some extent it was money, but to a greater extent the number of guaranteed years, and I don’t think we made a mistake,” said United president Kevin Payne in a conversation after the 2008 season.
Gomez earned a league maximum ($385,000) in 2008. His current guaranteed contract runs through 2009, but Kasper was not sure if that was the year that had been in dispute.
“I honestly can’t really remember,” said Kasper. “It just never got there on a number of fronts. We just never got there with his agent. But we’re wiping that slate clean.”
