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Christian Gomez Back in D.C. for Round II with the Team
The Argentine Playmaker Brings Hope to D.C. United After Struggles in 2008.
Mar 14, 2009 5:09:41 PM
The 2008 Major League Soccer season was one filled with a great amount of turmoil for midfielder Christian Gomez. The playmaker who had honed his craft for years in his native Argentina before joining D.C. United near the end of the 2004 season could not agree on a contract renewal with the team. As a result, he joined the Colorado Rapids instead, but ended the season with them watching play from the bench.
Based on these unsettling results that Gomez experienced with two separate teams in 2008, you might be tempted to say this may be a player whose better days are behind him. You might also wonder if the player may be a cancer in the locker-room or be a headache for his coaching staff. None of these appear to be anywhere close to the truth.
Gomez on the Field
The departure of Gomez from D.C. United in 2008 had nothing to do with his play on the field. After all, he had been an All-Star during the previous three seasons and was awarded the league MVP award for the 2006 season.
Former and current teammate, midfielder Ben Olsen, had this to say about the playmaker's on-field contributions, "He’s a big part of the success that we had over the past four years including the Championship. He was a huge part of why we were so good, and played such an attractive style."
Gomez off the Field
Gomez left D.C. United on reportedly very good terms with the players and the front office.
"Christian has always been a friend to many in our locker-room, and we never left on bad terms," explained coach Tom Soehn.
In fact, Soehn consulted several of the more senior players on the team before deciding to bring Gomez back, and received a unanimous "yes" in response from the group.
The main issue for his departure prior to last season appears to have been contract length. He reportedly wanted more years than D.C. United was willing to give him back then, since at the time he was 33, an advanced age for professional soccer players.
Gomez in Colorado
Gomez was never able fully show his skills in Colorado. The Rapids employed a style of play that was characteristically American, with a very direct, athletic approach. Gomez is a player best suited with a style of play that reflects his Argentine origins. His play requires the ball at his feet to utilize his creativity. Despite the differences in style, Gomez still made the 2008 MLS All-Star team, before a coaching change in Colorado left him languishing on the bench.
"When the season ended I knew it was going to be difficult to find the field again, so I began to search for another club to go to," Gomez explained regarding his desire to find a way out of Colorado.
Gomez/DC United Part II
At 34 years old, Gomez realizes that there is no possibility of Europe in his future. While participating in the Carolina Cup Challenge in South Carolina he told Goal.com that his "focus is here with D.C. United."
He went on to explain that he has a strong desire to do whatever he can to "make great things happen for this great club."
The team appears to have fully welcomed him back, "It’s good to have him back. He looks very motivated," was Olsen’s statement. The team captain seems to know the importance of Gomez for D.C. United this season, "He’s not a guy that you can really stop."
Coach Soehn and the rest of the United staff undoubtedly hope that he won't be stopped this season. The team's disappointing performance in 2008 has increased the pressure on the team to do well this season, and is likely part of the reason for the return of Gomez this season. Unlike the high profile foreign-player signings last season, he is a known quantity that should improve the team’s chance of success this season.
Randy Davis is a regular contributor to Goal.com
Based on these unsettling results that Gomez experienced with two separate teams in 2008, you might be tempted to say this may be a player whose better days are behind him. You might also wonder if the player may be a cancer in the locker-room or be a headache for his coaching staff. None of these appear to be anywhere close to the truth.
Gomez on the Field
The departure of Gomez from D.C. United in 2008 had nothing to do with his play on the field. After all, he had been an All-Star during the previous three seasons and was awarded the league MVP award for the 2006 season.
Former and current teammate, midfielder Ben Olsen, had this to say about the playmaker's on-field contributions, "He’s a big part of the success that we had over the past four years including the Championship. He was a huge part of why we were so good, and played such an attractive style."
Gomez off the Field
Gomez left D.C. United on reportedly very good terms with the players and the front office.
"Christian has always been a friend to many in our locker-room, and we never left on bad terms," explained coach Tom Soehn.
In fact, Soehn consulted several of the more senior players on the team before deciding to bring Gomez back, and received a unanimous "yes" in response from the group.
The main issue for his departure prior to last season appears to have been contract length. He reportedly wanted more years than D.C. United was willing to give him back then, since at the time he was 33, an advanced age for professional soccer players.
Gomez in Colorado
Gomez was never able fully show his skills in Colorado. The Rapids employed a style of play that was characteristically American, with a very direct, athletic approach. Gomez is a player best suited with a style of play that reflects his Argentine origins. His play requires the ball at his feet to utilize his creativity. Despite the differences in style, Gomez still made the 2008 MLS All-Star team, before a coaching change in Colorado left him languishing on the bench.
"When the season ended I knew it was going to be difficult to find the field again, so I began to search for another club to go to," Gomez explained regarding his desire to find a way out of Colorado.
Gomez/DC United Part II
At 34 years old, Gomez realizes that there is no possibility of Europe in his future. While participating in the Carolina Cup Challenge in South Carolina he told Goal.com that his "focus is here with D.C. United."
He went on to explain that he has a strong desire to do whatever he can to "make great things happen for this great club."
The team appears to have fully welcomed him back, "It’s good to have him back. He looks very motivated," was Olsen’s statement. The team captain seems to know the importance of Gomez for D.C. United this season, "He’s not a guy that you can really stop."
Coach Soehn and the rest of the United staff undoubtedly hope that he won't be stopped this season. The team's disappointing performance in 2008 has increased the pressure on the team to do well this season, and is likely part of the reason for the return of Gomez this season. Unlike the high profile foreign-player signings last season, he is a known quantity that should improve the team’s chance of success this season.
Randy Davis is a regular contributor to Goal.com
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