WVHooligan - Soccer Blog

As reported earlier here, Christian Gomez and DC look to be ending their relationship. But where could he end up is the bigger question to dive into now.

Steve Goff is reporting that he was offered a contract in the Middle East at around $600K but he said he does want to remain in the MLS if possible. A few teams have expressed interest in him but whether or not they are willing to pay him what he wants remains to be seen.

As Goff put it there are three things that could happen:

1.) He signs with a club abroad and United receives nothing for him since he is out of contract; 2.) An MLS team agrees to his salary requirements and offers players/money/picks to DCU; or 3.) An MLS team takes a chance by acquiring his rights from DCU before agreeing to a deal, in which case DCU would probably have to settle for conditional picks or money.

Obviously for DC the best thing to happen is number two. But as for the league itself two or three would work better to keep him in a MLS uniform.

But where could he go. Earlier I mentioned some clubs that could make an offer.

Colorado Rapids: From the start the Rapids have appeared to be the best suitor for Gomez and have probably expressed the most interest in getting him from DC. United doesn’t want Pablo Mastroeni so most likely they would have the Rapids would have to send a major allocation, some draft picks and a player or two. A guy like Terry Cooke would probably fit well in DC, though I am sure they’d like to have someone that won’t hurt their international roster situation with all the players that they are signing right now. (I believe Cooke doesn’t have a green card but you Rapids fans may know more on if he does.)

A lot has to be done for the Rapids but they have expressed the most interest so you can bet DC will listen to them first.

Chivas USA – Ante Razov is on the market so a swap between the two teams could seem likely if DC were to want a forward like Razov in return. Thing is DC just added forward Franco Niell on a loan so would trading a playmaker for a striker be a good move here? Maybe, more so if they are getting Marcelo Gallardo like most reports out there say they are.

After last year’s stupidity on trading a DP spot for Amado Guevera, the Goats still want and need a play-maker and Gomez is certianly that. Plus they do have the cap space and the money right now to still make a move or two like this one.

Kansas City Wizards: Would Gomez re-sign with the MLS to move to KC and play in a tiny baseball stadium? I doubt it but the Wizards do have the money right now to make a deal happen with the departure of Eddie Johnson. Plus, I would be willing to bet that most Wizards fans weren’t thrilled with the Carlos Marinelli experiment last season. He was decent at times but not the playmaker that he should be. Gomez would certainly fill that role in a heartbeat.

A deal with the Wizards would more than likely just be all allocation based and maybe a draft pick or two. KC really has no one to package in a deal in my opinion for DC. But money does talk and KC now has plenty of it.

Toronto FC: This one is just for shits-and-giggles but with Mo Johnston you just never know. The tough part would be figuring out who they would trade and if they would give Gomez a DP style contract. I would be willing to bet that Johnston would have to trade one of those two first round picks that he got in last weeks draft and some allocation. Toronto does have plenty of allocation still but would Gomez really fit in their plan? If Johnston wants him to they will find a way.

New York Red Bulls: Proabably one of the least likely candidates to make a deal with DC. Sure the two sides have traded players in the past but right now NY has next to nothing to package in a deal for DC. Don’t kid yourself on a Claudio Reyna – Gomez swap or anything stupid like that. New York would love to add a playmaker but for now there just isn’t a deal other than some allocation and future draft picks that NY could send.

New England Revolution: The Revs are trying to shake things up this off-season but would they really flirt with the possibility of having Gomez in the same midfield as Shalrie Joseph, Steve Ralston and company? That could help make Taylor Twellman a bit happier knowing his club got a playmaker in the middle, which could off-set his disappointment for not going to England.

Thing is who in the world would New England package in a deal? Wells Thompson? Jeff Larentowicz? Another player or two? A DP spot? Allocation? All of the above? Its an interesting situation but with the way New England is approaching this off-season you just cannot rule them out yet.

Real Salt Lake: Another that seems less likely but the two sides have familiar ties with GMs and what not so they could be able to work out a deal and we all know just how much Jason Kreis love his Argentine players the middle of the pitch. Who would they be able to package in a deal remains to be seen. Probably like the rest, allocation with draft picks and a player. I really have no idea which player DC would like in return, maybe a high draft pick from this year but who knows about that one. Keep your eye out because RSL and DC have been good trading partners before, remember the Adu deal?

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