From Deseret News archives:
Real getting U.S. star Mathis
The 28-year-old forward/midfielder has been an integral part of the U.S. National Team for the past four years, scoring 11 goals in 38 international games, and is equally as well known for his party-boy image and wild hairstyles.
Mathis spent the past year with Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga but fell out of favor with coach Ewald Lienen recently. Knowing his days with Hannover were numbered, Mathis contacted Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger about returning to the MLS and playing for Salt Lake's expansion franchise.
"The reason I'm here is John Ellinger," said Mathis, who played for Ellinger on two separate occasions in the past. "It's pretty much the sole reason I'm here."
After several negotiations, the MLS, which handles all player contracts, reached an agreement with Hannover 96 to let Mathis out the remaining year and a half of his contract and in turn allocate him to RSL.
He's hoping a return to the U.S. and the MLS will revive a career that was once the hottest commodity in the United States.
"I'm excited. I never thought I'd be back in the MLS a year later," said Mathis, who spent nearly four hours with teammates Wednesday working on various magazine photo shoots.
Prior to joining Hannover last January, Mathis spent six years in the MLS playing for both the Los Angeles Galaxy and the NY/NJ Metrostars. It was a turbulent career that saw him struggle mightily during stretches, but at other times show monthlong flashes of brilliance.
Mathis has a reputation as a great teammate and a coachable player when things are going well but just the opposite when they aren't. Ellinger doesn't agree with that image.
"I've never had any problems with Clint on or off the field," said Ellinger. "I think he's a great team player and an inspiration to his teammates."
Mathis will likely start at forward alongside Jason Kreis, the MLS's all-time leading scorer acquired from Dallas in November via trade. Distributing the ball to the duo will be Andy Williams, a creative midfielder acquired in the first round of the expansion draft.
The triangle of offensive weapons gives the franchise — and the marketing department particularly — plenty to be excited about for the 2005 season, which begins on April 2 against the Metrostars.
RSL's roster is gradually falling into the place with Mathis becoming the 14th player to join the team. While experience and creativity isn't a problem up top, a priority for the team in the coming months will definitely be midfield.
With only four midfielders on the roster, general manager Steve Pastorino will address that issue in next week's MLS Super Draft, as well as with its four international signees.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
