Herculez Gomez Could Be Powerful Trading Asset For Sporting KC

Following Herculez Gomez's terrific game last night for Santos Laguana in the CONCACAF Champions League against Toronto FC a spark was ignited that had been lit a few times before. Talk began again about Herculez Gomez and that with his terrific form a lot of clubs in America and specifically the MLS were looking at the 29 year old for a possible move back state-side. Talk was again spurred on the following morning when Grant Wahl posted on his twitter that he had only recently learned that Sporting KC held Gomez's rights* - basically, if a team in the MLS wanted Gomez they would have to go through SKC first and try and hammer out a deal for the striker.

The United States international had previously played for two other MLS clubs in the way of Colorado Rapids and LA Galaxy but with the latter one he was the most prolific notching 16 league goals. His third MLS club was then called the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting KC of course) and Gomez was not quite as good a goal poacher as he had been with LA and only scored once in league play in over 30 appearances for KC. Apparently Sporting KC had offered Gomez a contract in 2009 but was turned down(thus giving KC Gomez's rights should he return to the league), Gomez later joined Puebla of the Mexican 1st division later that year on a free transfer.

Jimmy Conrad stated on his twitter however that Sporting KC didn't even want to keep Gomez around which doesn't seem to make any sense to the naked eye because Sporting did offer him a contract after all. But maybe Jimmy knows something surrounding the Gomez saga that we don't.

So anyways, back to my original point, Sporting KC could possibly have a great trading piece in Herculez. While no offers have been formally made Peter Vermes has confirmed that KC does in fact have the striker's rights and is open to trade offers. Gomez is obviously a great player but Sporting KC are filled to the brim with top class strikers and based on Gomez's tweets there is still some unsettled business between Peter and Herculez so the idea of Gomez playing for KC may be a fantasy at best.

*Note: A select few of Sporting KC fans had known about this fact before Grant tweeted about it including yours truly

Here's the conversation between Grant Wahl, Herculez Gomez, and Jimmy Conrad in its entirety.