Can someone please explain that to me. Around his retirement, I heard that comment several times and someone (maybe Bruce Arena) even said it was THE biggest goal in US Soccer history. By what frickin' standard? I wasn't hangin' around in Mathis' best days, but I do understand that he's one of the the most talented American soccer players ever. That's no reason to overstate the significance of that goal. I've made enough US Soccer videos to have gained a pretty good understanding of its history. It was not a game-winner. It was not against an international soccer power. It was not a goal that attracted millions of new fans. It was not a watershed moment. It was not significant financially. It was not one of the most difficult goals in US Soccer history. It was early in the game to go ahead in the second group stage match in which the team eventually drew. Hell, Friedel's penalty kick save in that match was probably more important to get the point that sent the US through. I respect Mathis' contribution to US Soccer, but even his free kick goal against Honduras was bigger, also Caligiuri's goal against T&T, Stewart vs. Colombia, Preki vs. Brazil, McBride vs. Portugal, Altidore vs. Spain, and of course Donovan vs. Algeria. I just cannot understand how someone could claim Mathis' goal was bigger than all of them.
We got lucky since they thought they could beat us, so our refs were not paid as much as Italy or Spain. And the Germans won even with all the crappy calls. As much as some people believe that it was called both ways, there are plenty of no calls which most people dont remember.
- It put the U.S. ahead in a World Cup game during the team's definitive World Cup run thus far - It was a beautiful, technical strike I wouldn't say it's the biggest, but I would say it's one of the best.
It's a top 10 for sure. He doesn't score that goal and the U.S. has no chance of going through (unless they actually show up against Poland). I'm not trying to knock you but just because you made some youtube videos doesn't really equate to understanding significance of certain events in the moment. Don't forget, S. Korea was a semi-finalist that year... even if they did pay off refs.
Hey, you can't prove that. On a more serious note, I've always been afraid of match fixing in club soccer, more than on the international level. Money disparity is higher and fewer viewers makes it easier to pay off refs, but honestly I think S. Korea got some (how to say it) interesting calls in 02.
Dos a cero would never be invented if Mathis doesn't score. Plus it was as hostile and intimidating a venue as can be imagined in a WC venue.
Haha, nice little underhanded shot there. I understand the significance of Caligiuri's, Wynalda's, Stewart's, O'Brien's, Donovan's, McBride's, etc. goals in the World Cup. It was a well taken goal against a host country. Like I said, Friedel's save is more important in that match. How can a goal be one of the biggest in US Soccer history when its not even the biggest moment in that match?
saying "one of" is a whole lot different than saying "the greatest" its not like their are a ton of US world cup goals to chose from as is. That goal, as many have said, proved to be VERY valuable in us moving on in the best US world cup ever. Given the atmosphere, the venue, etc. it was huge. Like Davies scoring @ Mexico type thing... expect on THE stage
The player of that match was Brad Friedel............... It was an important goal, no doubt..........but every American goal at every World Cup is important. About the least important one of recent memory was Donovan's against Poland as we were getting blown out. But that's about it. Name a goal in the 2010WC for the Americans that wasn't "big" and important? Was it more or less important than Wynalda's against Switzerland in 1994? About the same. We don't advance without either. I bet if I made a list, it would be in the 10-15 area. But I'm not going to bother........
Exactly. When I think "Biggest goals in US Soccer history" I'm thinking Gaetjens, Stewart, Donovan, Wynalda, McBride, Bradley, Donovan again, all in the World Cup. If you look outside the WC, then the list gets a little longer.
As Clint stated above, almost every goal you score in a world cup, the US or not is pretty damn big. On top of that we took the lead with that goal, and we ended up taking a crucial point from that match. And if you look at the quality of the goal, its pretty tremendous. The technical ability of Mathis and O'Brien really showed. The ball that O'Brien played was class, and Clint's touch and one time strike was superb.
Definitely not the most important, but it's a contender for the best goal we've ever scored in a World Cup (combination of JOB's vision and accuracy and Mathis's technique and composure). For that reason I'd put it up there.
We came out of that Portugal game with our own heads still spinning and a huge challenge facing us: an inspired host country. Then we trot out a guy who didn't even sub in against Portugal. A guy with an announcement to make. When Clint scored that goal - so clinically, so early - we knew we were for real and had a good chance to advance. That announcement? "Let The Good Times Roll." Plus, Clint scored it with his third leg and celebrated by playing dueling banjos with Grandpa Jones at the corner flag. Top that, Lucky Caligiuri.
Beautiful pass, excellently taken goal, tie against a semi-finalist who was also the host country, best run the US has ever had at a WC in modern times...it all adds up to being on the short list for best ever. Some of the other ones you listed might have had greater significance in certain respects, but they came no where near the skill level of the JOB/Mathis connection. When you add up all the pieces is why it's up there.
Exactly what goals outside of a World Cup are bigger than a goal in a World Cup? Caligiuri, maybe. After that...?
Personally I would say Altidore versus Spain and Donovan against Brazil in the Confederations Cup, "The Building is Shaking", and, imo, Mathis' own free kick against Honduras.
Donovan because of the great run, perhaps, but I can't agree with the last two being bigger than any World Cup goal, let alone Mathis' against Korea. Altidore's goal being important was simply a matter of the situation (GWG against Spain, sends US to the final), otherwise it's just good positioning taking advantage of bad defense. The significance of Mathis' goal was quality play AND the implications it held; everyone focuses on Portgual-Korea, but without that draw against Korea, the US doesn't qualify for the second round. Heck, if it wasn't for bad set piece defense late in the game, Mathis would have been a bigger hero.
Well, it was badass. That's why! Did you see it live? I remember it clearly - one of those goals that makes you jump up.
I understand that, but that still doesn't stack up. We still needed a goal in that game to stay alive. Nobody else was really getting it done up front that day. We all know what a stinker was put up vs Poland. I don't think Clint's is the biggest in history, but definitely in the top 10. '02 was by far the best ever WC performance in US history and there's no disputing that. Without Clint's goal (as said by others) we don't get the Mexico game or the solid Germany performance and robbing.
Who is saying this? If you feel like trying to source it, that would be nice of you, because I'm not hearing that at all (other than in this thread). I mean, people say extra nice things to people at their retirement -- happens all the time... So some of that type of talk, if it occurred at his retirement, should be taken with a grain of salt. It wouldn't surprise me if Arena said this at JOB's retirement AND at BMB's retirement. Statements like that are routinely said at retirements. Hell, I could see Arena saying this at Jeff Agoos' retirement (tongue-in-cheek of course). This particular goal was a great goal. I don't think anyone is seriously calling it the greatest or the biggest.
That shot secured the point that allowed us to advance. At the time, while we recognized it was a big goal, we thought there was still work to do. In retrospect, its importance becomes clear. Without that goal, South Korea and Portugal advance. USA "2-0" over Mexico never happens. We never establish ourselves as the region's dominant team. Portugal was just a fluke. A blip. Millions (yes, millions) of people do not wake up to watch the team at odd hours of the night to see them play in Asia. The magical run of 2002 came crashing to an end before it could ever happen. If you did not experience the magic of 2002 while it was happening, perhaps you can never understand what that run did for soccer in this country.