"He's another guy who wants to be on the ball and you need players like that this time of year. You need to have more possession, you need to have wiser choices in your possession," said Kreis. "He's a guy that's had so many high-pressure experiences, that this time of year he's also a guy that's not going to shy away from things and can lead by example. And the third factor, defensively he's been working extremely hard and has over the past several games."

Mathis is winning balls away from defenders and midfielders, and it's often leading directly to scoring chances. He created a glorious scoring chance for Robbie Findley last weekend by dispossessing a Chivas player in midfielder. Two weeks ago against FC Dallas, his intense effort in the midfield frustrated defender Marcelo Saragosa and ultimately led to his red card. Later in the match his defensive work helped RSL gain possession in midfield and two passes later Findley scored the RSL's all-important third goal in the 3-1 win.

Count midfielder Andy Williams, who was Mathis' teammate during the turbulent 2005 season, as one of those players who loves having the older, more mature version of Mathis on the field.

"He's a big key to our possession up top, and in the midfield he can drop back and make passes like what he did a couple times with Robbie," said Williams. "He probably has the most experience on the team playing in a couple World Cups."

Mathis has plenty of MLS playoff experience as well. Last Saturday was the 22nd time he's appeared in the playoffs, registering five goals and three assists during that span. He's confident another goal will come eventually.

He also knows it may or may not change the minds of some RSL fans who forged their opinions of Mathis back in the disastrous 2005 season.

"It was just a situation where the team didn't do well, and me being the name that came back from Europe to play here you're going to take a lot of heat," said Mathis. "That's just the way it goes, I don't really worry about that. I don't have any bad feelings toward that."

As for those who believe Mathis is a changed person following the birth in August of his first son, Maximus, he just laughs. "I've always been the same person," he said.

Mathis might be the same person off the field, but on the field he's more passionate and harder working than he ever was in 2005.

MLS playoffs

RSL at Chivas USA

Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

Home Depot Center

TV: Fox Soccer

Radio: 700AM, 1600AM

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com