Clint Mathis knows what the critics say -- that he's washed up, that his best days are behind him. And he understands it. Actually, he nearly believed it himself.
But Mathis is looking for a resurgence and he's hoping a trip back to New York and reuniting with former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena is that shot in the arm he needs.
"I know I've been written off in the last couple of years, but hopefully I get the confidence back and the will to play like I did while I was here with the MetroStars," said Mathis, who was traded from the Colorado Rapids for a pair of draft picks Friday. "I'm looking forward to it; I'm going to a new organization, and it reunites me with a coach here in New York who is a familiar face with me.
"I understand [the criticism], it obviously has to do with my mentality and the situations that I was in and I almost gave up on myself," he added. "I pretty much just said that's not the way its going to be and it's nice to get a fresh start with this staff in New York."
When he was last in New York, Mathis was one of the top scorers in Major League Soccer. He burned Dallas for a league-record five goals in 2000 and his 70-yard jaunt through the Dallas defense earned him MLS Goal of the Year in 2001. But there was another side of Mathis when he was in New York. He forged a reputation as a party animal and his work ethic was questioned by Arena before the 2002 World Cup.
But Mathis, now 30, said those days are behind him.
"I'm an old married man, I know my limitations," he said. "There's not a whole lot of leaving the house."
And Arena is fine with leaving that in the past, too.
"That's five years ago, I can't worry about that now," Arena said. "My focus is on 2007 with the New York Red Bulls. If I didn't think Clint was a player who can help us, I wouldn't bring him in."
Arena also isn't too concerned with Mathis' form since returning to MLS after a pair of seasons with Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga.
"Five goals in two years puts him in a class with a lot of players," Arena said. "I'm not worried about that, but I think he can certainly play better than he has over the last couple of years. That's what we're hopeful of, that's why we made the trade."
Mathis didn't exactly leave Germany with a good taste in his mouth. After scoring four goals in his first five games, he struggled for playing time in his second season and when he came on as a late substitute and scored, Mathis tapped on his wrist, a gesture that earned him the penthouse suite in coach Ewald Lienen's doghouse.
Mathis returned to America, returned to MLS and played for John Ellinger and expansion Real Salt Lake. But the change of scenery didn't change things. He had three goals and four assists for Real and was traded to Colorado for Jeff Cunningham. Mathis had two goals and one assist for the Rapids, far from the 16 goals and 14 assists he racked up for the MetroStars and Galaxy in 2000.
Mathis said his play on the field and his lack of confidence was a "snowball effect." But he's hoping that changes with his return to the Big Apple.
"Being able to get with Bruce in a place where I had a lot of success is bringing me confidence and I want to be part of something I believe is going to be big here," he said. "It's up to me to come out and play and try and have that will to want to come out and play soccer again and that's what I have now."
Although Arena didn't give up too much for Mathis and didn't take a large salary cap hit, he is confident Mathis can provide some much-needed help to a desperately thin attacking group.
"We know the qualities that Clint has as an attacking player. He can score goals, he can set up goals, he can shoot from distance, he's creative, he's a good passer. There's a lot of good things that he has," Arena said. "We're hopeful that in our environment and with him bringing the right attitude, he's going to be a player who can recapture some of these qualities and help make the New York Red Bulls better."
Bringing in Mathis doesn't mean the Red Bulls are done searching for attacking help.
"This trade allows us to keep many of our options open. We can continue to pursue signing a second designated player if we find the right fit," he said. "We're in good shape in terms of salary cap and all those other things. I think this is a move that can turn out to be a real good one for not only the New York Red Bulls but for Clint Mathis as well."
That's what Mathis is betting on. He still loves New York, but this time it's not the nightlife. It's because of a second chance.
"They'll get 100 percent out of me, day in and day out, and I'll do whatever I can to help this team win," Mathis said of the finicky New York fans. "That's all anyone can give."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
