COMMERCE CITY — Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo has long appreciated the talents of Argentine playmaker Christian Gomez, albeit from afar.
In 3 1/2 seasons with D.C. United, Gomez was a three-time Major League Soccer all-star, named to the Best XI team three times, won the MLS Cup in 2004 and was league MVP in 2006.
The attacking midfielder earned those accolades by recording 39 goals and 29 assists in that span, an impressive haul that is second to none in MLS since 2005.
“If you look at his numbers, they’re amazing,” Clavijo said. “I knew he was a hell of a player, but I never really looked at the numbers.”
Clavijo and soccer fans will get a long look at Gomez, who was officially signed Friday by the Rapids to complete arguably the biggest player acquisition in the franchise’s 13-year history.
Long rumored in the offseason to be looking to play in South America, Gomez, 33, returns to a league he has at times dominated while joining a Rapids team desperate for a proven goal scorer and playmaker.
Gomez spoke fondly of his new teammates and organization Friday and expressed an eagerness to help push the Rapids to the next level. Colorado failed to make the playoffs last season after losing in the Western Conference final the previous two years.
For Gomez, the decision to return to MLS was easy and the Rapids were a perfect fit.
“The league is getting better year from year. The league is getting more competitive, getting more recognition and it’s a league I’m going to contribute well in,” Gomez said through a translator at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. “From the moment the Rapids began negotiations with me, I was very excited with the prospect. They’ve got a great organization, a brand new stadium that is the most beautiful in the country, and Fernando is a great coach and well known. Overall, the Rapids are known for being a great organization and it’s something I would be proud to be a part of.”
Specific terms of the deal were not revealed, although the Rapids traded D.C. United its 2009 first-round draft pick and future considerations to obtain Gomez’s rights.
Gomez’s ability to score, set up goals and distribute the ball freely gives the Rapids a crucial, hard-to-find player and one the organization has admittedly been searching for years to obtain.
Former Rapids great Marcelo Balboa said that although Gomez may not have the same name recognition of former Rapids star and ballyhooed 2001 signing Carlos Valderrama, his consistency during the past three seasons makes him superior.
“You’re getting a guy that’s a proven goal scorer, a proven playmaker and that’s a guy — a guy in his prime — that Colorado hasn’t had for quite a while,” Balboa said.
Clavijo is excited about pairing the attack-minded Gomez with defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni to control the field, while allowing wingers such as Terry Cooke and Colin Clark and the forwards to aggressively push for goals.
Rapids vice president Jeff Plush said Friday’s signing was the culmination of a pursuit that lasted more than two months.
“It should reaffirm what we’ve said all along. We’re very committed to this sport, to our club, to our league, to our community and fans,” Plush said.
Plush said the addition of Gomez does not necessarily increase the pressure on Clavijo for a quick start to the season, which begins March 29.
Plush said the pressure is always there, is part of the business and that the team is “chomping at the bit” to wipe away a disappointing 2007 campaign.
“We’re very excited to get on the pitch and play people that maybe don’t think very much of us,” Plush said. “We welcome the opportunity to prove ourselves.”
