Ives lays the smack down!

Too bad linking to this site never works. Here's a snippet:

 

If you consider Mathis's red in this game, he missed the July 5th game in DC with the nats, he got carded out of the last game in DC last year in DC (9/14/02), he missed the May 18th game in DC with Nat duty (5/18/02), he blew out the knee (iirc) on Nat duty on or about June 10th of 2001 and didn't play in the June 13th game in 2001, nor in the August 15th game in 2001 due to injury...the last game at RFK he finished on civil terms was August 2, 2000, just after his trade to Metro. He was substituted for in the 78th minute by...wait for it...Julian Gomez (getting 18 of his lifetime 33 metro minutes, thank you MF).

Damn.

 

Excellent article. Happy to read Yves calling it like he sees it. Clint might even appreciate it since he seems to be a straight shooter himself.

The one point I did not agree with was the notion that the foul on Convey was questionable. Clint had every intention to nail Convey in the head with his forearm. That was a Red Card offense unto itself. Frustration was seeping out of Mr. Mathis at that point and who better to take out the frustration on then the kid who was in line to get the big Euro transfer that Clint probaly wants.

But there still is time. Clint has the talent and the season is not over. He will make his mark.

 

"If it had been Landon Donovan or Taylor Twellman the red card might have stayed in the pocket, but it was Clint the hot head so he must have meant to do it, the thinking now goes"

I think Ives has either been reading these boards too much or he's been sniffing the same stuff Clint is.

The two yellow's were deserved. The last one on Convey could hardly be classified as "borderline". If a premeditated elbow to the back of the head with no attempt to play the ball is "borderline", then I'd like to know what would qualify as a yellow card.

Generally, I enjoy reading Ives' columns and usually agree with his opinions, but he's way off base here.

 

wrong ... Convey was embellishing all game. Good call by Ives to see that the "elbow" (yes it's in quotes for a reason) WAS a borderline call. It's funny when you watch the replay and see Clint's arm not moving, just locked ... that's strange since you have to swing your arm to "elbow" someone. Lame call. No surprise though, always knew Convey was a c*nt.

 

I've watched the replay as well, his arm didn't move. He locked his arm in that position, there was no "elbowing" involved. Now as far as doing that borderline sh!t with a yellow (which was also a crap call), I agree it's not smart to ask for trouble when you know the ref is already looking for you. For a blatant elbow, see Serna vs KC(?) in 2001. This does not compare, at all.

 

C'mon everyone, "Mathis is a good guy" he would never do anything like that purposely. That being said I'll give Clint the benefit of the doubt... Convey deliberatly walked into Clint's forearm and then dove to the pitch. Clearly Convey should of been the one to be ejected.


VIVA METROS!!!

 

interesting how people watching the same thing see different things, poor Clint is in no win situation, maybe the two week off will be good, but really a transfer out of this league is the only thing that will save him in the long run, any takers?

 

someone's got it

 

And here I was thinking you were talking about the Gaven article. Tame stuff, except for this.

"Eddie plays with confidence, and he's also active," said Gaven. "He's not just waiting for the ball to come to his feet. He runs out of the midfield looking for balls ,and when he gets them he goes forward, which causes teams trouble."

16 years old and already referring to himself in the third person - damn.

 

Clint's actions on Sunday were reminiscent of the swinging arm he threw at Franchino in the USOC quarters - at full speed, going for the ball, he was just flailing and "happened" to smack Franchino's face. On Sunday, he was going up for the 50/50 ball, jockeying for position, and just "happened" to smack Olsen's head.

He has earned his reputation in the league, and deserved to get thrown out on Sunday.

 

I have to think that Gaven quote was actually Bradley and it was just mis-attributed. He can't really speak like that without being Pat Buchanan, can he?

 

If Mathis received a yellow because of his "reputation", then why didn't he immediately get another one after he stuck his hand in Quintanilla's face while running back on defense after receiving the first one?

You can make an argument that if he wasn't a marquee name, the ref would have wipped out the red card at that point.

 

are you serious? what for? he didn't even touch him.

 

I'm not trolling here. I laughed when he did that. It reminded me of Chandler on Friends when he stuck his hand in Joey's face... "I'm not touching you. I'm not touching you." It was great.

I honestly think Clint needs to leave MLS. To me, it doesn't matter if he goes to a top EPL team, middle or bottom, or anywhere for that matter. He just seems like he is not having fun. And he just can't play when he's not having fun. I really think he's fed up with MLS and he really needs a change of scenery. Just for his ownself, regardless of what it does for his "career."

 

This may be true, Kickin, but if you were the manager of European club, would you want to take on an American player who doesn't seem to be enjoying the game? Add this to the fact that he's not entirely back from his injuries, and it makes him a tough sell. On the other hand, if Clint can show a turnaround in attitude, even this late in the year, it'll help him get a job at a higher level next year.