D.C. United has offered Christian Gomez, MLS’ Most Valuable Player in 2006, a contract extension worth $325,000 for two years, along with several incentives and two additional option years, according to the Washington Post. His current contract runs at a below-par rate of $182,500-far less than the league’s other star players. Gomez, who joined United in late 2004, has said he would like to remain at the club, although if the offer weren’t high enough he would pursue opportunities in Asia or the Middle East after his contract expires next season. Gomez and his representatives in Buenos Aires did not comment on the deal, but Dave Kasper, D.C. United’s technical director said he was hopeful a deal could be reached. While Gomez personally had a great year, finishing second in the league in both goals (14) and assists (11) as a midfielder, United did not. The storied MLS club may have cruised through the regular season, finishing with the league’s best record, but it labored to beat Bruce Arena’s Red Bulls, 2-1, on aggregate thanks to goals from Gomez, and then lost rather limply at home to the New England Revolution in the semifinal. Aside from Gomez, United has decided to exercise the option attached to veteran Bolivian forward Jaime Moreno’s, who is in his 11th season with the club. He will earn $250,000 next year. It did not, however, pick up the option on Argentine winger Matias Donnet, who may now decide to head back to Argentina. Meanwhile, Coach Peter Nowak and Kasper just returned from a scouting trip in Brazil and Argentina, and look close to acquiring a new Brazilian and a new Argentine for the 2007 season. Nowak’s contract expires next month, and while he’s not guaranteed to continue as coach, he has been actively molding next season’s roster.