DENVER — There was actually a spring in Clint Mathis' step Saturday night. That's right, the oft-criticized midfielder who sometimes seems disinterested on the pitch, played like a very interested man against the Rapids.

And it's not just because he scored RSL's only goal in the 2-1 loss. Rather, it was because he attended to both his offensive and defensive responsibilities, he hustled more than normal and he tried being the leader and calmly presence in the middle the team so desperately needs.

Of course, it could've been better, much better. Until RSL starts winning games, everyone is shouldering the blame. But for Mathis, who by most accounts has been disappointing this year, Saturday's performance was a step in the right direction.

"I was in a little bit different role," Mathis said. "I had a little more freedom, which enabled me to stay forward a little bit more. I felt good tonight. I think through all the other stuff, and nagging injuries, I'm getting more and more fit, and that helped out tonight."

Maybe Mathis will be back next year after all.

In the past couple of months, one of the biggest topics hovering around RSL was whether or not the team's highest-paid player would be back.

After all, with over $350,000 locked up in Mathis — nearly one-fifth of the team's total salary — two goals and four assists weren't exactly jaw-dropping.

In fact, in a 2-1 loss at Columbus last week in which Mathis was replaced at halftime, one reporter asked RSL coach John Ellinger if he believed Mathis was already looking ahead to next year. Ellinger responded by saying, "I hope not. There might not be a next year."

For Mathis, and the RSL fans clinging to the hope that Mathis may regain the form that made him one of the most dangerous strikers with the U.S. National Team just a few years ago, Saturday's game was encouraging. He's got three more games to show Ellinger that Salt Lake City is where he wants to be again next year. Otherwise, Ellinger may have a tough decision ahead of him in the offseason.

It's all about the risk vs. reward.

With Mathis, you definitely get an enigmatic personality who no doubt can be a distraction at times. Then again, he's got the potential to pull a goal out of nowhere like he did in the 14th minute against the Rapids.

Perhaps even more impressive was Mathis' one-touch pass over a pair of defenders to Jordan Cila in the ninth minute, an opportunity that was wasted when Cila sent the ball over the box.

Mathis' other two goals this year where also of the world-class variety, both coming on free kicks — one against Chivas and one against Dallas.

The fact that Ellinger can still count the number of Mathis goals on one hand, however, is a very discouraging reality — one that he'll have to contemplate during the offseason.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com