Clint Mathis

Clint Mathis (born November 25, 1976) is an American former soccer player. He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he scored one goal.[1] He also played in Major League Soccer for the MetroStars, where he scored five goals during a game in August 2000.[2]

Clint Mathis
Personal information
Full name Clint Mathis
Date of birth (1976-11-25) November 25, 1976
Place of birth Conyers, Georgia, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position(s) Midfielder, forward
Youth career
0000–1994 AFC Lightning
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1997 South Carolina Gamecocks
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2000 Los Angeles Galaxy 65 (15)
2000–2003 MetroStars 67 (33)
2004–2005 Hannover 96 17 (5)
2005 Real Salt Lake 27 (3)
2006 Colorado Rapids 25 (2)
2007 New York Red Bulls 26 (6)
2008 Ergotelis 8 (1)
2008–2009 Real Salt Lake 39 (2)
2010 Los Angeles Galaxy 9 (0)
Total 283 (67)
National team‡
1998–2005 United States 46 (12)
Teams managed
2014–2015 Chicago Fire (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 16, 2010
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 16, 2009

Youth and college

Mathis was born in Conyers, Georgia[3] and played club soccer at a young age for Rockdale Youth Soccer Association, and then for AFC Lightning, a Georgia powerhouse producing players such as former U.S. international Ricardo Clark, in Fayetteville. He played school soccer for Heritage High School and won a state championship there.

At the college level, Mathis played for the South Carolina Gamecocks, alongside future US national teammate Josh Wolff.[4] Mathis ranks third all-time in total points (121), third in career coals (53) and is the single-season leader in points (53) and goals (25).[5] Mathis was a consensus first-team All-American in 1995 and a third-team selection in 1997, while he was a three-time finalist for the prestigious Hermann Trophy.[5] Mathis, one of two South Carolina athletes to ever be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, helped lead the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament in 1994, 1995, and 1997.[5]

Playing career

Professional

Mathis was drafted sixth overall by Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round of the 1998 MLS College Draft.[6] After two and a half years with Los Angeles, Mathis was awarded to the MetroStars in the dispersal draft after the Galaxy signed Mexican forward Luis Hernández.[7][8]

Mathis immediately took his game to a new level, flashing an "I ♥ NY" shirt[9] after scoring goals and breaking the MLS record by scoring five goals in a game against Dallas Burn on August 26, 2000.[8] He finished second in the league in scoring with 16 goals and 14 assists and was named to the MLS Best XI.[10] 2001 saw Mathis score seven goals in his first six games, including the league's eventual Goal of the Year on a half-field run against Dallas. In June, he tore his ACL, which ended his season. He never recovered his pre-injury form and scored only 13 goals in his remaining two seasons with the MetroStars.

After the 2002 MLS season, elite German club Bayern Munich attempted to acquire Mathis but was blocked by MLS.[11] On January 22, 2004, Mathis left the MetroStars to sign on a free transfer with Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga.[4] Mathis leaft the Metros after playing in 67 games (66 starts), scoring 33 goals and contributing 21 assists.[4]

Mathis played well in his first season in Germany, scoring on his debut and went on to score four goals in his first five games.[9] But soon after, his manager was fired and replaced by Ewald Lienen. In his second Bundesliga season, Lienen often kept him often on the bench. On September 25, 2004, upon entering Hannover's match against Schalke as a very late substitute, Mathis scored the game-winning goal almost immediately.[12] In celebration, he ran to the sideline and tapped his watch at Lienen.[12] Mathis escaped being fined for the outburst and later confirmed the gesture was meant the way it was widely interpreted - that Lienen should have played him earlier.[12] He started the next game but afterwards never played with the first team again. In December, he was transferred back to MLS, joining expansion club Real Salt Lake.[13]

Mathis said he returned to fulfill a promise made to RSL head coach John Ellinger. His initial season in Utah was a major disappointment, as Mathis only managed to score three goals the entire year. However, when he did score he did so in style: all three goals earned praise as MLS Goal of the Week. In December 2005, he was traded to Colorado in exchange for Jeff Cunningham.[14]

On March 29, 2007, Mathis was traded from Colorado Rapids to New York Red Bulls for a 2008 MLS SuperDraft fourth-round draft pick and a conditional draft pick in 2009.[15] In his first home game, he notched a goal and an assist to lead New York to a 3–0 rout of FC Dallas. As of November 2014, Mathis is New York's third all-time goal scorer with 45 in all competitions.

Mathis was traded to Los Angeles Galaxy on November 19, 2007 for a third round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.[16] He made his debut for the Galaxy in a friendly at Telstra Stadium against Sydney FC in front of 80,000 fans. He scored the first goal in the Galaxy's match versus Wellington Phoenix.

In January 2008, during the European transfer window he left the Galaxy, signing with Ergotelis in Greece.[9] Ergotelis sat at the bottom of the table in the Greek First Division. Down 1–2, Mathis came on to make his debut as a second-half substitute and in the 91 minute of stoppage time down a goal, the ball popped to Mathis outside the box and he struck a powerful left footed volley that the keeper could only deflect into the back of the net, earning a crucial point against fellow relegation battlers Apollon Kalamarias.[9]

Real Salt Lake signed Mathis in August 2008 after acquiring his MLS rights from Los Angeles in exchange for a conditional draft pick, which became a third-round selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.[17]

After 11 years in Major League Soccer, Mathis won the MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake in 2009, defeating Los Angeles Galaxy in a 1–1 draw that was decided in overtime by penalties, with Mathis scoring the first penalty kick goal.[18]

Mathis was traded back to Los Angeles on January 14, 2010 in exchange for a swap of first-round picks in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.[19]

On August 3, 2010, Mathis announced he would retire from professional soccer after the Galaxy's exhibition match against Real Madrid on Saturday August 7, 2010.[20]

International

Mathis earned his first cap for the U.S. national team on November 6, 1998, against Australia.[21]

His first goal came on November 15, 2000, in a 4–0 win over Barbados.[22] He was a contributor for the United States national team in the early stages of qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring the game-winning goal against Honduras and setting up Josh Wolff's game-winning goal against Costa Rica.

At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Mathis shaved his hair into a mohawk and scored a goal in the United States' 1–1 draw with South Korea.[23]

Coaching

On January 31, 2014, Mathis was announced as assistant coach of the MLS Chicago Fire and head coach Frank Yallop.[24]

Personal life

In 1999, Mathis played himself in an episode of The Jersey called "Be True to You"[25] where Morgan Hudson (played by Courtnee Draper) uses a magical jersey by jumping into his body.

In 2002, Mathis became the first male soccer player in eight years to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated in its World Cup preview issue.[26] Mathis was also on the cover of ESPN MLS Extratime in 2002, and Backyard Soccer 2004.[26]

Career statistics

International
Source:[27]
National TeamYearAppsStartsGoalsAssists
United States
19981100
19992000
20002212
20016523
2002151073
200312710
20046300
20052211
Total4630129

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1November 15, 2000Bridgetown, Barbados Barbados1–04–02002 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
2March 3, 2001Pasadena, California Brazil1–11–2Friendly
3March 28, 2001San Pedro Sula, Honduras Honduras2–02-12002 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
4March 2, 2002Seattle, Washington Honduras1–04–0Friendly
53–0
6March 27, 2002Rostock, Germany Germany1–02–4Friendly
72–4
8April 3, 2002Denver, Colorado Mexico1–01-0Friendly
9May 16, 2002East Rutherford, New Jersey Jamaica2–05-0Friendly
10June 10, 2002Daegu, South Korea South Korea1–01–12002 FIFA World Cup
11January 18, 2003Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Canada2–04-0Friendly
12March 9, 2005Fullerton, California Colombia3–03-0Friendly

Honors

Real Salt Lake

United States

Individual

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References
  1. "Clint Mathis Goal - 2002 World Cup USA 1-1 South Korea". June 10, 2002. Retrieved August 2, 2012 – via YouTube.
  2. Major League Soccer (June 13, 2007). "08/26/00: Clint Mathis Scores 5 for the Metrostars" – via YouTube.
  3. "Behind the Stripes". Atlanta United. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  4. "MetroStars Forward Clint Mathis Inks Deal With Hannover 96". Our Sports Central. January 22, 2004. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  5. "Former Gamecock Men's Soccer Standout Clint Mathis To Retire From Soccer". South Carolina Gamecocks. August 3, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  6. "MLS: 1998 Collegiate Draft First Round". Soccer America. January 31, 1998. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  7. "Hernandez Deal As Complicated As M-l-s".
  8. "MetroStars' Mathis Sets Record With Five-Goal Game". LA Times. August 27, 2000. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  9. "Top 10: Mathis' most memorable moments". New York Red Bulls. August 3, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  10. "MLS Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 163. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  11. "Mathis pick of the crop". The Guardian. June 16, 2002. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  12. "Clint Mathis Leads Hannover 96 to Victory Escapes Fine for Outburst". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  13. "RSL Welcomes American Soccer Icon Clint Mathis to Salt Lake City". Our Sports Central. January 6, 2005. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  14. "Mathis traded for Cunningham".
  15. "Rapids trade Mathis to Red Bulls".
  16. "LA Galaxy acquire veteran Clint Mathis". mlsnet.com. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  17. "ksl.com - RSL adds veteran Clint Mathis". www.ksl.com.
  18. Miguel Romero, José (November 23, 2009). "Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  19. "Galaxy reacquire Mathis, select midfielder Stephens". January 14, 2010.
  20. "GALAXY: Clint Mathis retiring after Real Madrid". ESPN. August 3, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  21. "This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: Clint Mathis". Bleacher Report. May 2, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  22. "USA Wins Group E, Gains Spot in Final Qualifying Round for World Cup 2002 with 4-0 Win Over Barbados". ussoccer.com. November 15, 2000. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  23. "Korea rally to deny US". BBC. June 10, 2002. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  24. "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Adds Clint Mathis to Coaching Staff". Chicago Fire. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  25. "The Jersey Season 1 Be True to You (via TV.Com)". Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  26. "Why Can't America Produce A Lionel Messi? Trick Question, We Already Have". The 18. April 20, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  27. "Clint Mathis – U.S. Soccer Media Guide". 2013 USMNT Media Guide. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  28. "USA DEFEATS COSTA RICA TO CAPTURE FC GOLD CUP 2002; BRIAN McBRIDE WINS GOLDEN BOOT AND MVP HONORS". CONCACAF. February 5, 2002. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  29. "2001 Goal of the Year: Clint Mathis - #TBT". Major League Soccer Official YouTube Page. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  30. "Former Gamecock Men's Soccer Standout Clint Mathis To Retire From Soccer". Gamecocks Online. August 3, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  31. "My Signature: Clint Mathis on Having His Jersey Retired". Gamecocks Online. October 30, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
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