RSL gives up on Mathis

When Clint Mathis announced his intentions of returning to Major League Soccer after a brief stint in Germany, he said the only reason he was returning to the States was to play for Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger.

That partnership just never worked out.

After a largely disappointing year in a Real Salt Lake uniform, the club traded Mathis on Monday to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for eight-year MLS veteran forward Jeff Cunningham.

"Clint has a great deal of talent and had an off-year this year," said Ellinger about RSL's highest-paid player last year, who scored three goals and recorded four assists. "The opportunity is there for him to rebound next year and dominate the league as most of us still feel he can do."

Unfortunately for RSL, it couldn't risk that not happening again. It needed a proven goal scorer, now, and Cunningham fits the bill.

In 25 games for the Rapids last year, Cunningham racked up 12 goals and finished with two assists. The extremely fast forward also scored a pair of goals in the MLS All-Star Game against Fulham of the English Premiere League last summer.

"Obviously with Jeff, he's been a consistent goal scorer in this league, and we felt we needed someone of his ability to be a consistent attacking threat, someone who can get in behind defenders," said Ellinger.

Cunningham, who moved to the United State from Jamaica at age 14, ranks seventh in MLS history with 74 goals, and he's second to new teammate Jason Kreis with 24 game-winning goals. Kreis has 30 game-winning goals. Cunningham has also made nine appearances with the U.S. National Team.

Many people thought Cunningham's best days were behind him after the 2004 season, a big reason why Columbus traded one of the franchise's most-loved players to Colorado in January. It took him a few months to find his niche with the Rapids, but after he received his first start in the ninth game of the season, he proceeded to start nearly every game the remainder of the season.

In Mathis, RSL parts ways with player who was the face of the franchise in its expansion season. He started 27 games, but his lack of fitness really prevented him regaining the form that made him one of the most dangerous players on the U.S. National Team — a player RSL invested a lot of money in.

Ellinger would hate to see Mathis regain that form in Colorado.

"It's extremely hard to let him go," said Ellinger. "I think Colorado feels the same way about Jeff. It could come back and bite you."

The acquisition of Cunningham is the sixth new player RSL has added after a 5-22-5 season last year.

On Nov. 16, Salt Lake released goalkeeper D.J. Countess, and then traded defender Brian Dunseth to Chivas for defender Douglas Sequeira and midfielder Christian Jimenez. It also acquired the rights to defender Diego Walsh from the Kansas City Wizards.

A few days later, RSL traded part of an allocation to FC Dallas for goalkeeper Scott Garlick and midfielder Carey Talley.

"I'm definitely happy, but I can be happier," said Ellinger about the numerous new acquisitions. "I'm not going to close the door on more."

Training camp for the 2006 season begins Feb. 1, when RSL convenes in Bradenton, Fla.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com