November 22, 2009 HE'S STILL GOT IT Clint Mathis proved once again, he's a force to be reckoned with
by Kathryn L. Knapp, ChicagolandSoccerNews
SEATTLE – Clint Mathis entered the match in the 22nd minute as a substitute for an injured Javier Morales. The lineup changed a bit for Real Salt Lake. But the MLS veteran helped control the midfield for his club, and even caused a bit of drama as only Mathis can.
“Most people know that I love proving people wrong,” Mathis said. “People have counted me out for years. They counted us out this season. But now we’ve proved them all wrong.”
Real Salt Lake defied the odds all season. They inched their way into the playoffs after posting a 11-12-7 regular season record. But on the big stage, they left it all on the field. Mathis gave it his all and more in the last game of the season.
“I was honestly hoping I still had the legs it takes to play,” Mathis said. “I haven’t played 90 minutes in a while. I’ve been through big time games, but this one means a lot.”
The 32-year-old midfielder took four shots in his 98 minutes on the pitch, including sending one on goal. He left it all on the pitch, especially in overtime. Mathis bent a freekick into the upper right corner of the net in second-half overtime, causing Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders to jump up and make the save. Mathis sent a freekick into the outer netting in the 102nd minute, for another close call. Three minutes later, Mathis rocketed a shot off a Galaxy defender.
Then Mathis stepped up to take a penalty kick. He was the first RSL player to take a kick. He followed David Beckham’s perfect shot. Mathis stepped up to the line, stared down Saunders and easily shot it into the center of the net, tying the PK tally at 1-1.
“You always have to be confident, especially when you take penalty kicks” Mathis said as he shrugged his shoulders. “The best player in the league missed his tonight. It was unfortunate. I don’t like to see anyone lose on PKs. But I felt our win was well deserved.”
Mathis wraps up the 2009 campaign with two goals and seven assists in the regular season. He’s played in 249 regular season games, with 61 goals and 52 assists. Mathis has also seen action in 28 playoff games, tallying five goals and three assists. He’s played four four clubs, five if you count both New York franchises – Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, Colorado Rapids, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake. Mathis also earned 46 caps for the U.S. Men, tallying 12 goals.
Love him or hate him, Mathis knows how to get under opponents’ skin and get the job done. At the end of the day, winning a MLS Cup is the perfect way to cap off his 11th season… and just in time for his 33rd birthday. Mathis turns 33 on the 25th of November.
“No matter where I’ve been, or what tournaments I’ve played in, I’ve never won a championship,” Mathis said. “It feels great. Now it’s time to set new goals.”
