Mathis and Howard both start and are playing well vs. El Salvador at Halftime. Timmy's made at least 2 nice saves and Mathis has had some great chances including a wonderful volley from Barrett's cross.
i saw the volley it was nice. timmy got the kit kat save of the game and that assist from mathis for the second goal reminded me of ronaldos goal against costa rica when he did this thing with his right leg that confused the sh** out of the defender
Clint and Timmy are looking to impress overseas scouts. I think their work today enhanced their value, even though ES is not a powerhouse.
I'm really not understanding this. It seems like something that people say any time Mathis or Howard play well, that they're looking to make a case for a transfer. I really doubt any "overseas scouts" were at a freezing, rainy RFK Stadium to watch the US B-team play the B-team of one of the weakest teams in CONCACAF (barring the true minnows like Dominica or Belize). Isn't it possible that Clint and Timmy played well because they're professional soccer players who want to make a case that they should play for the US, and also relish the chance at a competitive game in the off-season? I find the idea that they're doing the pre-game kickabout with one eye scanning the mezzanine for David Pleat's cousin scratching out notes, or mysterious men in Manchester United blazers jabbering away on trans-Atlantic cel phone calls, to be the worst sort of knee-jerk thinking. Time to take that old horse behind the paddock and shoot it in the head.
I couldn't see the match but from reports I heard, the USA simply dominated every aspect of this match. While it was clearly an offseason friendly, I can remember a time maybe only 8 years ago where the USA could not master any international "B" team as thoroughly as I understand that we did today. This speaks well of our general level of improvement of football here. Clint is captain and has an assist to boot. This will probably only egg on the Mathis bashers in this forum to denigrate that contribution by minimizing the significance of today's match. Personally, I see it as just the start to Clint's returning to form which will ultimately help the Metro. Of course, the Nick and OZ worship crowd on these boards are never likely to ever say a good word about Clint again.
Clint & Timmy played good games because they are professionals. Mathis, who I have bashed before for his seemingly low-hustle 2002 performance, seemed to relish the captain's role & deserves kudoes. Maybe Bruce has figured that since Clint's the kind of guy who doesn't like following others' rules, put him in charge & let him lead. Good game for Clint & Timmy as well.
Maybe there weren't a ton of scouts on hand at RFK, but I'm sure that many overseas coaches will be receiving a video of the game to scout players like Mathis, Howard, Bocanegra, Donovan, Mastroeni, etc. I'm sure if you had the opportunity at your job to impress someone and you knew you could benefit by making ten times what you make now, you would be all for it and work twice as hard as usual. And nobody would criticize you for it. Why should you criticize these guys for wanting to move their careers ahead?
Clint lost his mohawk, but Pablo has lost his dreadlocks, so I think it balances out. We'll need another guy with dreadlocks to step up for 2006...(sorry if this is slightly off topic).