The Latino flair synonymous with D.C. United of late matters little to Marcelo Gallardo. The Argentine playmaker made it clear Tuesday his decision to come to Washington was about winning.
“At the end of the day I didn’t base my decision on having other players from South America on the team,” Gallardo said during his introductory news conference at the National Press Club. “I made it based solely on my conversations with the coaching staff and management, and hearing what their ambitions were for the club.”
Gallardo is the centerpiece of five South American signings by United in less than a week. He is the team’s first under Major League Soccer’s designated player rule. The 32-year-old has made 44 appearances and scored 14 goals for the Argentina national team.
His two-year deal, which will pay him $1.2 million per season, according to a source, makes him the fourth-highest paid player in MLS behind David Beckham ($6.5 million), Cuauhtemoc Blanco ($2.7 million) and Juan Pablo Angel ($1.6 million).
“Marcelo turned down about 10 offers to play at big clubs worldwide,” said United general manager Dave Kasper, alluding to offers from Argentine first division club San Lorenzo and German Bundesliga power Borussia Dortmund. “That speaks volumes of where he’s at in his career.”
Stadium chatter
» D.C. United stadium discussions are moving forward with both the District and Maryland, but the team’s co-managing partner, Victor MacFarlane, warned Tuesday that nothing is imminent.
“I don’t think we can get in 2010 anywhere, unfortunately,” said MacFarlane. “Maybe 2011 or even a year later.”
MacFarlane was encouraged that each of the three final development proposals for Poplar Point contain soccer options. The team also is considering Maryland sites in New Carrollton and Greenbelt.
