Mathis was at the top of his game for a while and a very very exciting player in MLS. If you want to wonder about a player being linked with Bayern Munich - remember Mike Petke was at one time.
I wouldn't count him out. He's quality. Struggling a bit now, as we all know. A move wouldn't be a bad idea. Let's not bag on the guy. Least we forget his strike against S. Korea. He's a big time player.
Remembering of course that while Clint was in the lineup he didn't play great and the team found it's way into last place. Since taking him off the field... the team is undefeated and has risen to 5th position in the table...
I will at least count him out for USA team. He has some great qualities but he also carry bags of troubles. Any club teams, especially the German clubs will sacrifice a great talent for team chemstry. If you are superstar, you may have some leeway, but Mathis is no Ronaldino as I know, and even Ronaldino doesn't do such stupid stuff against his coach. Look on Landon Donovan. He has great talents and he is loved by coach and his teammates. He is not selfish when his teammate is in a better position to score. In a Cuba game, he scored four goals, so he tried to set up for others even he should finish. After that he ran 80 yards back to stop a counter attack for the goalkeeper to have a clean sheet. Mathis has to grow up. He is in the age that has no excuse not to perform.
I wasn't going to respond here... but what the heck. It's the comment about forgetting his strike against S. Korea. Clint WAS a quality and big time player. I don't know what he is right now. That goal against S. Korea was over 2 years ago... it's ancient history. I still hear people talk about the game that Keller played against Brazil. Or Friedel stopping penalty kicks in 2002. Those are great memories... but it has nothing to do with who should play now - today. Pre WC2002 I thought Clint was one of our best and most dangerous attackers... now I don't. Did he have all the tools? Yes. Does he now? I haven't seen it. I love watching Clint when he comes ready to play. I get really annoyed watching him when he seems out of it. Unfortunately in the last 2 years I've seen more of the latter than the former. So while I'll cherish many memories Clint's given me... right now... if I'm selecting the USA team - I don't have room for him. He needs to move if he wants to play. And when he does get his next chance... I sure do hope he runs with it. He should be in his prime right now.
I used to think that it was all a matter of effort, but I am not sure he really understands why he is so inconsistent. I agree with Wahoo.He just would not be on my team now.You need to know what you are going to get, and Mathis has not brought much in a long time.
I have to say, as a Galaxy fan, I saw some of this coming. Mathis had oodles of talent then, but a lack of discipline and a kinda selfish view toward team play. "It was leave me alone, give me the ball and get out of the way so I can score." No defense, etc. The thing is, he was still good enough to pull it off for a while, especially because he was faster, a lot faster, then. I don't think Mathis took into account that his recovery from the ACL tear wasn't total - he is slower. He didn't look to change or mature by adjusting his game to be a better team player. But it was understandable under the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" philosophy. The problem now is - it's broke. I really hope Mathis gets to the fixing part, because it doesn't matter where he ends up playing if he doesn't. He is still young enough and talented enough to be a quality player - and stubborn and clueless enough to ignore the changes needed to get him there. It could go either way. I really home he gets there.
QUOTE=Femfa]I don't think Mathis took into account that his recovery from the ACL tear wasn't total - he is slower. He didn't look to change or mature by adjusting his game to be a better team player. QUOTE] People forget that Mathis played some his best soccer AFTER he tore his ACL (pre WC friendlies in Dublin and Rostock, etc), and that all of the Bayern Munich buzz and being on the cover of SI was in 2002 as well. His decline has more to do with attitude than injury/loss of speed. Lienen, Arena and Zambrano (remember, Zambrano said he needed a shrink in all of the NY papers) all have had issue with him...can they ALL be wrong? Mathis is definitely the most exciting talent we have seen on the MNT, IMO...and he is my all-time favorite player. I am, or should I say was, one of the Mathis-apologists out there. I loved his audacity and ability to score great goals from outside the 18, try things other Yanks wouldn't try, etc. I only hope that Mathis gets another chance in Europe and he doesn't piss it away. Mathis is the American Gazza, I fear!
Yes, but I got the impression that they were playing him in the midfield, expecting him to defend(wtf?). I think he should play striker. And as the Americam manager of Hannover that is the way I want it.
I'm not going to go through this again with someone who's been on BigSoccer since 1999 because you'll just go one believing what your little brain chooses to believe and ignore the facts.
Flan, I think you and Striker are both right (if I get the main points) - Bruce did question and challenge Mathis' fitness/commitment...it probably did effect his time on the field in WC 2002 - Clint was always a choice for the squad....and that basically hasn't stopped (yet?)... BTW- I don't think Clint's story is over..unless he's been gouging on Nutella and Gluhwein the last 2 months... I think he gets one more good Euro-shot...and I think he'll do better/make it stick.
Are you saying the longer you are on BigSoccer the more your brain shrinks? If so, I'd like to see a link.
You asked a question. I posted an answer. I am sorry if my answer made you unhappy. Thanks a lot for your kind response, anyway!
Erm, Landon was also on the cover of SI, just a couple of weeks after Clint. So, not sure about the absoluteness of that curse. BTW, Jordan has been on more SI covers than anyone. Didn't seem to hurt him except when he tried to play baseball. Of course, there might be some complicated curse corollary like every 6th cover is cursed, or something.
Correct my memory, but I didn't Mathis was on the cover of SI. I thought the only 2 nats to ever get on the cover were Earnie Stewart and Landon Donovan. I do know Mathis was on the cover of ESPN the Magazine. But I'm probably wrong. Yeah, I am wrong. I just looked it up. May 27, 2002. Good pic.