SI.com awards Clint Mathis

SoccerPrime · 10-12-2005, 10:13 AM

Bust of the Year
1. Clint Mathis, Real Salt Lake. The RSL folks rolled the dice with the talented but troubled Mathis, signing him to a guaranteed $410,000-a-year deal. In return, Cletus has given Salt Lake just three goals and four assists while leading the league in suspensions (four games) and fines (at least $6,000).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/grant_wahl/10/11/mls.awards/1.html

Jim Umber · 10-12-2005, 10:36 AM

I hate to say it...and have no animus towards him...but he did earn that award.

Morg · 10-12-2005, 12:02 PM

I'll agree he deserved the award, but he has come on the last 3-4 games. I also think if we surround him with a little more talent, players who can do something with the beautiful balls he plays to them, Clint would likely look a little better than he has this year.

Keep him for at least another year. The guy can still play soccer.

As for the fines and suspensions....the two extra games for the Chivas "fight" were bull crap. So was the fine that came with it.

SoccerPrime · 10-12-2005, 12:07 PM

I love Clint, but it is not realistic for RSL to keep him next year for 410K.
If he takes much less, than I can see it.

Otherwise its time for RSL to move on.

Dadof3 · 10-12-2005, 12:09 PM

The problem (as I see it) is that you cannot keep both Mathis and Williams...too similar...no defense in the mid...too good and paying too much $ to leave either on the bench. With that said, it appears obvious which of the 2 really want to play and be back next year, and it ain't Mathis...his 3-4 game reawakening notwithstanding. There is no reason to believe he will not do the same thing next year.

montgjules · 10-25-2005, 04:42 PM

http://www.das-fanmagazin.de/forum/thread.php?threadid=16408

Thanks to Dolo's profile, I found this little nugget. It's interesting to see his progression in Hannover from the fan's view!