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Colorado catches big fish in Gomez

By Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published February 9, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Christian Gomez was the league's most valuable player in 2006.

Christian Gomez was the league's most valuable player in 2006.

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Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo always winced when the best international soccer talent, once those players opted to test their skills in Major League Soccer, landed anywhere but in Colorado.

That wince turned to a grin Friday as the Rapids officially announced the acquisition of Argentine midfielder Christian Gomez, perhaps the most illustrious signing in the 13-year history of the franchise.

After months of negations with D.C. United, Gomez's former club, and Gomez's representatives, the 2006 MLS MVP landed in Denver on Friday morning on a flight from Buenos Aires and immediately was whisked to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to see his new home and greet his new teammates.

"You see signings for big teams, and you're talking about international superstars coming to (MLS), and they're never really coming to Colorado. You're always seeing them go somewhere else," Clavijo said. "Christian is proven in our league. For us, it makes us better right away, having him on the field.

"Not many people know, but it is a hassle with international players - the visas, the work permits, how long it takes for them to feel they are really at home. We have someone who wants to be in this state. It was a given for us."

In order to obtain Gomez's rights from United, the Rapids surrendered their first-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and also owe United future monetary considerations. Colorado then signed Gomez to a two-year deal worth about $400,000 annually.

Gomez, described by Clavijo as a "link" player who can smooth the transition from the midfield to the offensive zone, has produced the second-most goals and assists in the MLS during the past three seasons while leading the league in points during that span.

"We didn't let it fall through and we weren't going to let it fall through," Rapids general manager Jeff Plush said. "The negotiations took a long time, in part, because you have a player in Argentina, his representative in D.C., the league in New York, and you've got us in Denver."

In other Rapids news:

* The signings of Gary Smith as an assistant coach and Juergen Sommer as director of soccer were announced. Smith played and coached in the English Premier League. Sommer has spent the past two seasons as a volunteer assistant at Indiana University and also has served as goalkeepers coach for the U.S. national team.

* Forward Herculez Gomez and defender Dan Gargan, both of whom suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments last summer, could be ready for the season opener, against the Los Angeles Galaxy, on March 29 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

* Denver native Conor Casey, who has struggled with knee problems and had a torn ACL repaired after the season, likely will not be available until May.