At the All-Star break, D.C. United sit in third place in the highly-competitive Eastern Conference, having earned 24 points through the first half of the season. If not for a meltdown in their last game before the brief league hiatus, a 3-3 draw with FC Dallas in which the Black-and-Red had a 3-0 lead shortly after halftime, Tom Soehn's side would be at the top of the table.
United have been one of Major League Soccer's best teams since recovering from a slow start to the 2007 campaign, but when the MLS All-Stars take on Celtic FC in Thursday's Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, only one member of the Black-and-Red will be on the field, 2006 Honda MLS MVP Christian Gomez.
"First, I want to say that I'm really happy to be here at the All-Star Game and I'm also proud to represent my team, D.C. United," Gomez said through an interpreter after the All-Star team's training session Wednesday on the stadium field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. "To be the only (United) player in the All-Star Game, it's more important and I'm going to represent (the club) proudly."
This season is Gomez's third consecutive where he received an All-Star nod; he earned the right to take part by again serving as the sparkplug for D.C.'s attack. The Argentinean has four goals and as many assists in 15 games so far this year for United. Three of his assists have set up game-winning goals.
But unlike last year, Gomez has not been accompanied to the All-Star Game by his close friend and attacking partner Jaime Moreno. The Bolivian, who seems to have an almost telepathic connection with Gomez, missed out on earning a seventh All-Star appearance, though he has tied Jason Kreis for the all-time league lead in goals with 108 and needs just one more to set a new mark.
"We are great friends. We get along pretty well on the field and outside the field too," Gomez said of Moreno. "We have a nice friendship between us so it's weird to be here without him."
Even still, Gomez, who will likely be coming off the bench for coach Steve Nicol Thursday, could have the opportunity to link up with another South American. New York's Juan Pablo Angel will get the start up front and the two former Argentinean first division players will line up on the same side for the first time ever.
"It's a pleasure to play with him. He's a huge player," said Gomez. "I saw him play in Argentina and after that in England. ... It's important to play with guys like that."
However, the friendly feelings can only go so far, as United will face the Red Bulls just three days after the All-Star Game in a match that Angel will miss. He was red-carded in New York's last game for elbowing fellow All-Star Shalrie Joseph of the New England Revolution.
"I just found out now that he got a red card. I had no idea," Gomez said. "Usually I don't watch all the games in the league. I know he's an important player for the Red Bulls and now that you told me he's not playing, yes, I'm happy."
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
