A month after failing to sign Argentine playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron, D.C. United has now infused its squad with five new South American players: Peruvian goalkeeper Jose Carvallo, Colombian defender Gonzalo Martinez and three Argentines, forward Franco Neill, defender Gonzalo Peralta and midfielder Marcelo Gallardo. Some would say that in retrospect the club has done far better business in signing five new players than it would have done by adding the expensive Veron (whose contract would have reportedly been between $3 and $4 million a year).

Gallardo, whose signing was announced early Tuesday, is the club's biggest catch. The 32-year-old will occupy United's designated player slot, and reports have claimed the Argentine will cost United somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million per year. He will officially be added to the roster once he is given a work visa.

The South American additions, along with new goalkeeper Zach Wells, have given United a very different look from past seasons. Six regulars will be gone by the start of next season: Troy Perkins, Bobby Boswell, Greg Vanney, Brian Carroll, Josh Gros and Christian Gomez. Gomez's destination is unknown, but the Washington Post's Steven Goff says the Colorado Rapids are seriously interested in the former MLS MVP.

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