The "hunch" that Washington Post reporter Steven Goff nurtured a couple of days ago that Marcelo Gallardo will return to Argentina and be replaced by his compatriot Christian Gomez as D.C. United's playmaker looks a step closer to realization. Gallardo is trying to negotiate a contract settlement that will free him to join River Plate, Goff reports.
He also quoted "sources close to the club" as saying a deal would potentially allow United to reacquire Gomez, traded last year to the Rapids after contract talks stalled. Gomez was mostly benched when English coach Gary Smith took over at Colorado midseason.
Gallardo -- United's injury-prone and highly paid designated player -- was the replacement for Gomez, but the move backfired as United endured a mainly miserable season. United issued a statement Wednesday saying, "We've spoken with Marcelo at length about his desire to continue his career in Argentina and expect resolution of the issue in the coming days." His exit would allow D.C. to sign another DP, but Goff says "a more likely scenario is the reacquisition of Gomez and a new forward from Latin America."
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