Where Gallardo Goes, Expectations Follow

While a nation howled, Maradona reached out to his wounded potential successor. It would be like Michael Jordan calling a college freshman who had just missed a free throw in a big game.

Maradona's message: "Estoy contigo hasta la muerte" -- I am with you forever.

"Something like that," Gallardo said, shaking his head, "I will always remember."

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Gallardo, now 32, never became the next Maradona, but then again, neither did any of the other prodigies from his generation. Still, he played 44 times for Argentina, scored 14 goals and traveled to two World Cups, a sterling international portfolio by almost any standard.

His pro career has taken him from one of the world's grandest rivalries, his River Plate club against Buenos Aires foe Boca Juniors, to Monaco and French league glory, back to River Plate, to a forgettable year in Paris (if there is such a thing), and then this year to Washington, where he has been asked to inspire a new-look lineup and end a nearly four-year championship drought.

Just as when he was trying to step from Maradona's shadow, Gallardo is burdened by towering expectations here. He is the most accomplished player to join United during its 12-year history and by far the most compensated.

Acquired through MLS's designated player rule, which allows clubs to sign pricey stars outside normal salary guidelines, Gallardo is guaranteed to earn almost $1.9 million this season. Around 25 percent of MLS players are on developmental contracts that pay either $12,900 or $17,700.

Gallardo's deal, the third biggest in MLS behind Los Angeles's David Beckham ($6.5 million) and Chicago's Cuauhtémoc Blanco ($2.7 million), is nearly five times more than his playmaking predecessor for United, compatriot Christian Gómez, and six times more than D.C. striker Luciano Emilio, the reigning league MVP.

So far, the reviews have been mixed. He scored an extraordinary goal against Real Salt Lake on April 26 at RFK Stadium, a crashing volley from an acute angle to cap a 4-1 victory. But during a 2-0 loss Sunday at Colorado, which dropped United's record to 2-4 and left the club at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, he was barely noticed and badly overshadowed by Gómez (two assists).

"It is still a growing process, understanding what our league is all about," United Coach Tom Soehn said. "He is adjusting very well. I still expect more from him, but I expect more from everybody."

As Gallardo acclimates to a new team, new league and new country, his teammates have had to adapt to him. Though Gallardo and Gómez play the same position, their styles contrast strikingly. Gómez prefers to push further forward in the attack and take on defenders, more like a withdrawn forward than a midfielder. Gallardo is a traditional playmaker who drops deep in midfield to collect the ball and spray passes in every direction.