October 08, 2008
VI Questions with Christian Gomez
Christian Gomez was kind enough to take some time for Class VI and answer some questions for us. The interview was conducted and translated by CVI's Kevberto Nuñez
I. The teams fortunes have dramatically reversed from being last in the league to unbeaten in September which has put the team back in control of its playoff picture. What do you think has gotten them back on track?
I think that the team was structured right from the back and to the front, the results have been ours and we have gotten better in getting results which is important and that is why the team is in the playoffs
II. What are your plans for next season and in the long term are you interested in any part of the game after your playing days are over?
Yes, when Im done with my career more than sure I will be a coach for kids, I would like to teach what I learned throughout my career, and for next year, honestly I’m not very happy because Im not playing, when a player isn’t within the starting lineup isn’t happy, and that is what is happening to me in these moments, surely we will talk to see what happens next season because if this situation continues surely I won’t stay, but that will be spoken of after the season is over and we will talk with the people we have to talk about.
III. You and DC United parted ways in the off season and you decided to come to the Rapids. What were your main reasons for signing with Colorado?
My contract with DC United ended in December of 2007, We didn’t come to an economic understanding and Colorado was one of the ones that made an effort to bring Christian Gomez to Colorado and honestly I came very happy with a lot of motivation to play and get important things, but unfortunately Fernando had to leave, the assistant coach got the position he planned his players, of course a coach decides who plays and who doesn’t and obviously in Gary’s strategy I don’t have a spot, but one continues to work and keeps putting effort supporting the team and wishes the best to the team and one is always willing and ready in any given moment to be a support to the team.
IV. Do you still follow the fortunes of DC united and if so do you have any opinions of why the team is struggling this year?
I’m not much about following and looking at standings or to watch games, I know that it’s good that they aren’t doing good that we are better, and I worry about the team where I’m defending the colors of Colorado Rapids, honestly I played 3 fantastic years in DC where they treated me very good, but that is in the past
V. What differences do you see between Fernando Clavijo and Gary Smith?
With Fernando we played more on offense, we would change a lot from one team to another, 3 or 4 players would change almost every week, so we couldn’t find a base team, with Gary I believe he worried about finding the team from the back to the front, and even though we didn’t play good, he is finding the results and he is finding the players, which I think is very good because the results are ours, and the team has gotten better from the back to the front heading the other way.
VI. The last five games have seen you as an unused substitute. This weekend you were still on the bench when the team was behind. You’re obviously one of the most talented players in the league so what happened?
Honestly I am always ready and willing to go in and support the team in any moment, I think it is a pure and only decision of the coach of what substitutions he makes, with New York, with Houston, with Dallas, or with other games because I have been on the bench, I didn’t play I believe that, that is a question that you should ask the coach.
Any Comments of anything you would like to add?
There’s only 3 games left and honestly important games are coming up, Los Angeles, then Chivas, and then Salt Lake, and well to the people to the fans, I’d like to thank the support that they are giving us, in good moments during the season as in not very good moments and they have always been there supporting us, and in these next 3 games that they will keep supporting the same way and we will try to leave everything so that we can get the farthest in the playoffs