Coming to the end of a popular era is always saddening, and so for me, and much of the
Barra Brava, I'm sure, it was with a heavy heart and huge consternation that I read Christian Gomez had been traded to the Colorado Rapids.
The 32-year-old Argentinean was a fantastic servant to the club. His
numbers and accolades while at DC speak for themselves, but it was more than the statistics. There is no accurate measure for the spark he provided when he wore the black and red.
And as usually the case in professional sports, United didn't wait for the body to stiffen before they made it known who was going to filled his shoes – and his number – with the vacant Number 10 jersey going to one time Argentinean National team member,
Marcelo "El Muñeco" (The Doll) Gallardo.
With the signing of the younger Gallardo on January 28th, whose playing style is remarkably similar to that of Gomez's, the writing was very much on the wall for the incumbent no.10, who was traded ten days later on February 8th. So it is curious then that Colorado were so willing to borrow against the future of their club by giving up a natural first round pick in 2009 for an aging midfielder who was already half way out of the door.
But this type of talent gerrymandering is very much business as usual for United whose organization is renowned for its scouting network prowess, and has a history of savvy trade acumen with an uncanny knack for producing talented players from proverbial thin air.
Gallardo is hardly that, though, plying his trade both with the
Albicelestes in two World Cups and most recently with Paris St. Germaine in France. He also represents the first
designated player on United's roster, and ironically enough, it is the Gomez move that will make DC only the second outfit in the rule's short history to acquire a second designated player slot (the first being the Chivas USA/NY Red Bulls trade involving Amado Guevara).
The move, as impressive as it is, is bitter sweet for the Black and Red faithful. We all realize that in all likelihood as accomplished and influential as Gomez was for United, Gallardo will probably be equally – if not more so – and in the very same jersey.
Adios, Señor Gomez. Mucho gusto.