DC closing in on Veron deal for '08

 

If you've been wondering if and when MLS front-runners DC United would ever get around to using a Designated Player slot, the time may be coming sooner than expected.

According to sources with knowledge of the discussions, DC United is deep in talks with Argentine star midfielder Juan Veron to sign him as a designated player for the 2008 season.

As promising as this news it, what will really be interesting is what DC does to the rest of its roster to accomodate Veron's arrival. One scenario could see former MLS MVP Christian Gomez leaving DC United after four seasons with the club.

 

DC fans might not like the sound of such a development but Gomez wants DP money and DC isn't likely to pay that to a midfielder who will turn 33 in November. Yes, I know, Veron also turns 33 soon (in March) but Veron is Veron, a world-class player who has excelled everywhere he's played (well, except for England. Okay, except for Man U.)

Could Gomez and Veron co-exist? It's possible but not probable. The team just doesn't have many other areas to save salary cap room. Well, unless Jaime Moreno retires, which isn't likely. Then there is the matter of Luciano Emilio, who is under contract but who is playing his way into a pretty good argument for a pay increase. Yes, there is talk of MLS adding a second DP slot to each team but you wonder if DC will want to have two DPs in central midfield.

Saying goodbye to Gomez won't be easy for DC United fans who have grown to love the charismatic Argentinian. I still remember the scene of him sitting in the stands at Giants Stadium and banging a drum the whole match (he was hurt or suspended for the match, can't remember what.).

Could Gomez go somewhere else in MLS? Chivas USA could certainly use him, as could the Red Bulls (Before you say DC would never trade him to the Red Bulls you should remember DC also traded Jaime Moreno, Eddie Pope and Richie Williams to the MetroStars).

What say you DC United fans? Do you like the idea of adding Veron at the cost of losing Gomez? Share your thoughts on this below.

Comments

[Chris]

Hey, is anyone else trying to get season tickets? I've called multiple times and only get an answering machine.

[John]

My understanding is that DC United offered Gomez a new contract and he didn't accept and didn't make a counter offer. The public speculation is either:
--he intends to leave MLS (probably to return to Argentina to finish his career) or
--after two really strong seasons was hoping that a strong 2007 would boost his negotiating position.
Gomez has had numerous opportunities to talk about staying in DC. While he's never said "I'm out of here folks--see 'ya at the end of the season" this year has been notable for his complete lack of comments about future plans. My take is that he intends to leave MLS on a free transfer when his contract is up and is just being professional about it (ie: not talking about the future while he's under contract to another team). I also think that's why Veron was a target for United (as a replacement and upgrade of Gomez) rather than another striker.

My understanding is that Moreno contemplated retirement at the end of the 2006 season but decided to come back in 2007. I've heard nothing about his intentions after 2008.

My understanding is also that DC United has a ton of allocation money (they've been stockpiling it for a year and mostly not using it). I guess it's possible they could use that to buy down a contract and reduce the cap hit but that doesn't seem like their style--they seem to prefer to save the allocation money to pay transfer fees.

[nathan3e]

> (well, except for England. Okay, except for Man U.)

Veron played very well in Europe for Man U. He was definitely not as useful in the EPL. Veron is a special player, but he is not particularly known for his ability to play nice with others.

[Elmer]

I love the idea of adding Veron, but I'd hate to see us do it at the cost of Gomez. I know it would be tough to play them in the same midfield, but Gomez is the face of the team (at least in my opinion).

[East River]

I like Gomez and if DCU can keep both him and Veron then do it. But I wouldn't give Gomez DP money at age 33. I'm sure he's reasonable about what he can realisticlly demand at this point in his career. I wouldn't be surprised if Moreno retires after this season and that changes alot.

[Fred]

This could be just a negotiating tactic by DC. They might prefer to keep Gomez but not at DP salary.

[oracledba]

i agree with nathan3e, veron played very well - i think he was the wrong signing for united but i can understand what fergie was thinking - it just didnt mesh - when it did work, it was pretty awesome - this pass is unreal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1hr5R-xsfQ

[argo0]

Is the salary cap going to increase next year, and if so, does that make it possible to keep both of them (assuming Gomez wants to be at DC in 2008)? Perhaps Moreno retires, and Gomez moves into the withdrawn forward slot?

If the choice is DP for Veron vs. none for Gomez, I take Gomez. If Gomez won't stay unless he's a DP, then I reluctantly go with Veron.

Tough decision.

[Super Metro]

There we go again, Ives, how come DC can always get "these players" and we (or most teams for that matter) seem to struggle with it; do we need to steal some of DC's scouts?

[Bootsy]

Most DC fans that have been paying attention know that the team next year is likely to be very, very different from the team this year. Who knows whether Moreno will retire? Who knows whether Emilio will stay? (yes, the team has his option, but the team isn't going to force someone to stay who doesn't want to be there) A lot of people sympathize with Gomez -- he's a lot closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and needs to do things that will better set up his future and his family. Some have even speculated about Qatar and places like that for him. Who knows? I'll be very, very sad to see him go.

The reason I don't see Gomez staying in MLS is that the only real reason for leaving DC is to get a lot more money; but a lot more money would put him in the DP category. And I can't see anyone giving him DP money, not because he's not good, but because teams aren't going to want to use their DP slot on the kind of player that commands salaries at the bottom of the DP scale. Like many people have said, the DP rule actually hurts players whose contributions could legitimately command 325k-700k/yr in this league. They're too good to take money below the DP threshhold, but they're not great enough to compel a team to use its DP slot on them.

As for Veron, I don't know how I feel about Veron. He's a great player with a lot of accomplishments behind him. OTOH, Estudiantes is really the only place he's ever been where he could legitimately be claimed to be the equivalent of a "franchise player". I don't know how he would do in that role. He's not particularly fast -- something that hurt him in England -- and a common knock on DCU is their lack of team speed. And perhaps Gomez's single greatest contribution is his ability to hold possession under pressure; I don't know if Veron would replace that. Of course, given the kind of changes mentioned above (Moreno, Gomez, poss. Emilio, etc.), without knowing what the rest of the team will look like, it's hard to know if what he brings is what DC will need.

[Goose]

What I've heard about Gomez is that the main sticking point was the number of guaranteed years, not the dollar amount.

As for this:
>>My understanding is that DC United offered Gomez a new contract and he didn't accept and didn't make a counter offer.

I hear that after the initial offer was rejected, DCU and Gomez's agent mutually agreed to set the whole matter aside until after the season and deal with it then.

[jade1mls]

If the salary cap and SI slots go up next year as has been rumored then this question about what Gomez will do is moot.

[Goose]

Wrong again, as usual, Jade. DC is currently using only 3 of 4 SI spots.

[jade1mls]

I never said DC was using all 4 SI spots. I was questioning the premise Ives put forth that Gomez would have to come if Veron arrives. If the rumor of an increase in both salary cap, SI and DPs for next season is true then DC would need not trade Gomez nor offload his salary. Try to follow along instead of taking digs at me.

[eastlachiva]

We'll take Gomez. He'll look good as a Chiva.

[kpugs]

Great.

As for the trades between the two teams, Moreno was obviously still on DC's payroll during his stint with the Metros. He acted like the biggest star on Earth and didn't do anything but make the team hemorrage money for a season. I hope his legs fall off.

[Hincha Tim]

This would be a great signing. This is the type of player that should be used to sign DP, not Claudio Reyna. Veron will do well in this league. He took Estudiantes to its first title in quite a while last year in the Argentina Primera. He still has the stuff.

[jade1mls]

>>>

There we go again, Ives, how come DC can always get "these players" and we (or most teams for that matter) seem to struggle with it; do we need to steal some of DC's scouts?

Posted by: Super Metro | September 17, 2007 at 11:01 AM
>>>>>

Goff reported that DC has a global scouting network and a video system from england that allows them to search for footage of any player in the world.

From his Washington Post Chat:

In a Washington Post on-line Q&A session with Steven Goff there was the following exchange:

"D.C.: I don't follow soccer much, but I'm curious to find out how D.C. United are able to get these international players (such as Emilio) while other teams don't. Does D.C. United have a better scouting system, or is it simply a matter of personal preference for the player?

Steven Goff: Every MLS club has international players, some work out better than others. Angel in NY, Toja in Dallas, Schelotto in Columbus, Emilio and Fred in D.C. have all had significant impacts.

[jade1mls]

Hey SuperMetro, what's Juan Pablo Angel? Chopped Suey

[jade1mls]

Continued from Goff...

Goff:DCU does have an impressive international scouting network in place. In addition, their video library includes clips of hundreds of players from around the world, so in case they have a chance to sign someone, they can turn on the TV and watch him in action. In the past, MLS teams have had to scramble for information and highlights, and make an abrupt -- and perhaps uninformed -- decision. Things are changing as the league evolves."

[Dave]

If Gomez wants to resign then why go and get Veron? We are topping the league and already have one of the best fan bases . What would we need a DP for?

[jade1mls]

Maybe signing a DP like Veron helps get a bigger shirt sponsor than Amigo Energy? Maybe it has something to do with the new stadium?

[BigWave]

Let us first rehash some important comments:
1) Veron is a little bit younger than Gomez (by about 5 months).
2) Veron is a world class player. Gomez is a good player and has been awarded MLS MVP.
3) Gomez wants DP money. Veron wants a wee bit more DP money (I would assume he wants a contract on the order of Blanco's).
4) Gomez and Jaime both hold the ball well, so if we lose Gomez, then it'd be nice to obtain another #10 who can hold the ball well. Please people, Veron can hold the ball just as well as Gomez...no worries here!
On the whole, I believe that we should offer Gomez a contract for near-DP money. He's done great things for DC and I absolutely adore his passion for the game, but Veron brings even more to the table. In addition to the comments above, he brings connections that Gomez just does not. If we sign Veron, then the Argentine press will focus on DC like never before. Young players (who perhaps idolize Veron) will ask Veron questions about the league...you know, should I give it a shot up North?? Maybe a "very good" young Argentine forward will choose to test the waters in DC before heading over to a smaller European club? Wouldn't that be great?? I mean, Jaime is retiring soon folks!

[Lawrence]

The Crew actually seem probably. Although they don't need a creative playmaker, he would probably click really well with Schelloto. Also, Crew are probably desperate enough to give him DP money.

[Aljarov]

Am I the only person who thinks Moreno is severly past his prime? He hadly scores these days (aside for penalties), has slowed, doesn't seem to be as good witht he ball (and thus isn't creating as much) and has both been injured - and inexplicably - called up for the Bolia team.

DC needs to move on without Moreno.

It would be a shame for them to lose Gomez, but it looks like that's how things will play out there.