Mathis makes striking difference

By Jose Alfredo Flores, USA TODAY

You want to win in Major League Soccer this season? Just hire Clint Mathis for your team.

PHOTO: East's Clint Mathis, left, of the NY/NJ MetroStars, and West's Marcelo Balboa of the Colorado Rapids, kick a ball during the Major League Soccer All-Star game Saturday, July 29, 2000, in Columbus, Ohio. (Jay LaPrete, AP)

Mathis, currently playing for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, has helped the team that had the worst record in the league last season become the top team in the Eastern Division this year, even though the MetroStars have lost their last two.

The MetroStars are 10-3-2 with Mathis. They obtained him May 17 from the Los Angeles Galaxy, who were 5-0-4 with the 23-year-old striker.

"He's turning into a truly special player," says MetroStars coach Octavio Zambrano, who also coached Mathis with the Galaxy for parts of three seasons.

Mathis, in his first year as a starter, is having a career year, blossoming under Zambrano's system, which emphasizes ball control.

"I've been fortunate to be with good teams this year," says Mathis, in his third MLS year. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

The Metros were 3-6 before Mathis' arrival . And newly acquired Colombian national team forward Adolfo Valencia was struggling to put points on the board.

"He's taken a lot of the pressure off me," says Valencia, who is seventh in league scoring (11 goals, eight assists for 30 points). "Once he arrived and got hot, we were able to start winning some games."

With the acquisition, the MetroStars had one of the league's top forward combinations. With increased scoring and improved defensive play, the Metros flourished and had a nine-game unbeaten streak entering the All-Star break.

"He's just what this team needed," says Mark Chung, the only All-Star on last year's 7-25 team. "Clint holds the ball extremely well and complements very well with Valencia up front."

Mathis played behind U.S. national team forward Cobi Jones with the Galaxy and was forced to play midfielder many times.

"We needed him to show his talents," Zambrano says. "I always knew Clint was more of a finisher."

He has career highs in goals (nine) and points (27). "I understand what it takes to be a striker, just key in on being a goal scorer," he says.

Mathis also has endeared himself to MetroStars fans. His trademark is yanking off his jersey after scoring to reveal an "I (heart) N.Y." T-shirt. "I (wanted) something definitively New York," he says.

The former Atlanta Attack (indoor soccer) ball boy was able to demonstrate his rocket shot, dribbling ability and post-up moves in his first All-Star Game on July 29.

Mathis took a long feed from Chung and blasted a shot past West goalkeeper Tony Meola for the first goal. Mathis' East team won 9-4.

He made the trip with the U.S. team for World Cup qualifiers at Guatemala and Costa Rica but did not play. "It's going to take time, and I still have a lot to learn," he says. "But I know I can offer a lot to the national team."

Adds Zambrano: "He's not quite yet the complete package, but he's getting there. Once he matures and makes the most of his abilities, I feel he could be one of the best this country has ever produced."