Sports Talk: Gomez Heating Up

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A POST-MVP SEASON slump, contract discontent, opposing defenses disrespecting D.C. United's flank play and opting to clog the middle — potential explanations for Christian Gomez's sleepy start abounded through the first few weeks of the MLS season.

Not in dispute was the fact that the 32-year-old midfield maestro simply was not impacting games the way he used to, and United was slumping as a result.

"Teams, players go through stretches where things come hard," D.C. coach Tom Soehn said. "He's the MVP of the league for a reason, and he's here on our team for a reason."

There are at least a couple, actually. One may be his audacious, swerving, 30-yard free kick that opened United's account in last weekend's 2-1 victory over reigning champ Houston. The other is a command and vision rare among MLS players, which culminated Saturday in a strong run and nearly no-look pass that Ben Olsen slotted home.

"Christian just puts it on a platter," he said.

That goal was the difference in D.C.'s third consecutive victory and a sign that Gomez is hitting his stride.

"I try to play the same way every week," he said after the game. "Sometimes things go your way, other days, they don't. But the team is playing better Saturday after Saturday, and we're recovering that mystique that characterizes D.C. United. And I think we'll be playing that way again."

United (3-3-1) plays Saturday night at struggling Los Angeles (1-3-2), whose mystique is playing in Madrid and won't arrive until July.

Although striker Luciano Emilio has cooled off considerably, Gomez appeared to be one of the final pieces of Soehn's puzzle. The club has recovered from the physical and emotional fatigue of their run to the CONCACAF Cup semifinals, the defense has been solidified with the addition of a fourth back, and the midfield as avoided the costly turnovers that plagued the club in April.

An in-form Gomez would go a long way toward reestablishing United as an MLS Cup favorite.

Written by Express contributor Brian Straus
Photo by Preston Keres/The Washington Post