It's been a long time and I'm getting worried. MLS and the Metro's keep marketing Clint as IF he were still the old Clint. Will we ever see him explode by 2 defenders and stike a goal that makes us jump out of our seats? I'm getting more and more worried as each game goes by and he looks more or less like a 'normal' MLS player that those great Clint highlights are mostly all behind us. The Metros need a big time Clint to have a decent team.
i feel the same way, the big plus i see is hearing bradley's post game comments about clint starting up top (where he belongs) those 2 years he tore it up were the years he played exclusivley up top
I'm beginning to have worries myself that Clint will turn out to be nothing more than an American version of Toto Schillachi or Paolo Rossi. I hope to God that that is not the case. On the positive side, I thought he looked better last night than he did against Columbus. Shep Messing thought that he looked better and also Bob Bradley says that he has no complaints about Clint's overall efforts. But he has had several major injuries, which also worries me (is he injury prone?). Also, have those injuries - most notably the ACL and hernia injuries, combined to mak Clint less than he was? I hope not and I hope that the "real" Clint will be back soon for the sake of the Metros and the nats.
I think now with Guevara playing as the "withdrawn" forward, or center midfielder, Clint will do much better. He now can roam up top with Moreno and use his energy to beat the defenders, instead of using it to set up plays.
Think about this: Your playing the league champions, the game is tied at home; there is only a few minutes left. You've got Clint up top as a forward and the coach feels the team is better served by taking Clint out. I know conditioning etc. But that move is scary. 5 minutes to go, the game on the line and its time to take Clint out. What does THAT say about what Coach Bob feels at this point?
Funny thing but I never saw clint run into space in the second half. Almost looks like he he does not try to break free. Seems slow or out of shape. Explosiveness is gone.
Looking at the first two games, it seems to me that Clint isn't happy or at least content to play on the Metros. Gets pummeled by the media for high expectations, gets blasted by the former coach, and plays in an environment (16-20k fans in a 60k+ stadium) that barely holds on to a soccer atmosphere. Even during that interview on Talk of Our Town, he just didn't seem to be looking forward to the season with great intensity. Not surprised if he's not ever going to be "back", at least in a Metros uniform. Maybe that's just me.
The man is just 2-3 weeks removed from returning to training following a hernia injury. Yes he lacks the explosiveness from 2000 (which due to the knee injury may never be completely regained) but that does not mean he cannot be a very effective MLS player and a very effective USMNT player. If we keep on expecting the late 2000 version of Clint, we will keep on being disappointed. This is 2003. He ca contribute a LOT to this team, especially if he is up front with a guy like Guevara behind him. He's made some mistakes but also shown some flashes in these first 2 matches back from injury. So let's not worry about when Clint will be "back," and just hope he stays healthy and continues to contribute.
My friend said to me before the season that he expected clint to be awesome this year. I told him I hope I'm wrong but I expect him to be the soccer version of Anfernee Hardaway and Ken Griffey Jr. Before the season it looked like forward was going to be our strongpoint, I know its early but so far it doesn't look like clint and moreno are going to get it done.
As a person who recently had hernia surgery, gotta give Clint a break. For those who have never had it, EVERY muscle in your body, for some reason, is connected to your groin. Until the muscle works out, it is a bitch. There were flashes of fire, couple of nice moves with the new guy, he got hacked and got right back in without stepping on anyone. Thought he was better than last week. If each week he gets better, I have no complaints. if this is as good as he gets...
I accept no excuses here. Moreno is capable, and obviously BB has faith in Magee, so if Clint is unfit, don't play him. The problem is beyond fitness. Clint's attitude is terrible, and has been for sometime. I am personally sick of watching him jaw a ref. Opening Day saw Clint behind plays because his attention was focused on the ref. I was pumped when I saw him up top with Moreno at the start of the 2nd half last night, but it made no difference. He never back-tackles and gets behind plays all the time. Clint had a great run there, but injuries are not the only problem. He threw a three game tantrum that cost us a playoff spot last year, and didn't exactly endear himself to Bruce Arena either. It has been a long time since Clint has done anything to make me happy he is in a Metro's uniform. If things don't change, I won't be sorry to see him leave the MLS at the end of the year, but if things don't change, he won't have anywhere els to go.
Yeah, and if he reinjures his groin in those last five minutes then the two extra points a win would have give given us are moot. People need to trust Bradley, and also give Clint some time to get fully fit.
Perhaps Clint is still bummed out because his big chance for a European transfer passed him by. I am a huge fan of his, but I have noticed that since that whole thing fell through, for whatever reason, he's just lacked fire. Going through the motions. I guess he could just be recovering from injury, but I wonder if he's just a bitter man that doesn't want to be out there playing in MLS.
Give 'em hell, Cleatus And now a word from Clint's biggest fan...... Prior to the WC, the USMNT played a friendly vs Jamaica in June at GS b4 playing Holland at the Razor and shipping off to Japorea. I went to that game and watched Cleatus warm up at halftime. He looked good. He played from the 46th minute to the 63rd minute(?) before getting hurt. It turned out to be a broken toenail. But, for those 18 minutes he was the old Clint Mathis. Dangerous as hell and putting alot of fear into the opponent. He's been through alot the past 2 years and I'm hoping for the best. Even if he doesn't regain his foot speed, he still had tremendous tactical sense and ability to think 5 steps ahead of the other 21 players on the field. What gives me the most hope? Bob B. is no dummy. If he didn't think that Cleatus would help him, we'd have heard about his search for a forward just as much as we heard about his search for a #10, which culminated in the very talented Amado Guevara. Clint blasted one against Columbus that Busch was lucky to parry over the bar. Clint is too good to not come back. He will be back and I know every single poster on this thread will say, "see, I told you so." Give 'em hell, Cleatus.
Yeah, but that was the 5-0 romp where everyone looked so good because Jamaica was so bad. Assuming he's moved upfront for the rest of the year and taking into consideration missed games for USMNT obligations and his assortment of injuries, a 10 goal season will be considered a HUGE success.
There is no doubt Clint is a very good finisher. If there is someone to feed him the ball, he is gonna do well. Playing Clint in midfield is one of the cause of Octavio's demise.
Where is he going? if he continues with his current form, he will be luck if any top league in europe put him on their practice. He needs to tank whatever is bugging him and be a professonal soccer player and score goals like we know he can. Clint to move on to a top club, you need to perform at the bottom first (not that we are at the bottom).
You didn't read what I wrote. I didn't say that he was going anywhere. I was just trying to suggest that maybe he doesn't like it here. Which is bad for all of us. I don't know that he doesn't, but he doesn't look it.