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MATHIS NOT TIPPING HAND OVER MAN CITY LINK
04/04/02
by Doug McIntyre
U.S. national team star Clint Mathis has responded to speculation that English Premier League-bound Manchester City want to buy the striker from Major League Soccer.
Mathis scored the only goal in the U.S. team’s 1-0 win over Mexico Wednesday in a friendly match at INVESCO field in Denver. Representatives from Maine Road were in attendance to track the MetroStars player, according to Telemundo broadcaster Andres Cantor.
Rumors started flying on both sides of the Atlantic last week when it emerged that City manager Kevin Keegan traveled to Rostock to personally scout Mathis against the Germans, where he scored both U.S. goals in a 4-2 loss.
Before leaving to join the national team for the games against Germany and Mexico, Mathis spoke to Soccer365 about a possible move to the light blue side of Manchester.
“They’re doing really well,” Mathis said of City, who need just one point from their final three games to guarantee promotion to the Premiership next season.
“You never know, there are always opportunities. The important thing is to concentrate on doing well with the MetroStars, hopefully get to the Wold Cup and do well there, and [we’ll see] what happens after that.
“I’ll definitely leave my door open,” Mathis told 365. “I have to weigh all the options and see what's going to benefit me and my family's future. But until it happens, I don’t even worry about it.”
Mathis’ contract with MLS runs through the end of the 2003 season, and the league likely wouldn’t consider selling him until after this summer’s World Cup Finals. Even then, they may demand that he be allowed to remain with the MetroStars until the end of their season. If MLS does decide to cash in on its first homegrown star, it will undoubtedly expect a record transfer fee in return.
MLS commissioner Don Garber has repeatedly said the league will try to keep young American stars like Mathis playing at home, so it will be interesting to see how MLS handles the future of the first bona fide international star it has produced in its seven year history.
With his latest strike, Mathis now has 8 goals in eighteen international appearances, including 5 in his last 4 matches. He has registered at least a point in his last seven starts for the U.S., and his red-hot form since returning from a long-term knee injury in January has also attracted the attention of two current Premiership clubs, according to a source.
If MLS decides to hold on to Mathis, they could recoup some of his increased salary and expose him to to the world’s best leagues by loaning him to a European side during the long offseason.
MLS stars Brian McBride (Preston North End) and Ben Olsen (Nottingham Forest) spent time in the English first division last season and Dema Kovalenko recently rejoined the Chicago Fire after starting five games this winter with Bundesliga outfit FC St. Pauli.
“[Playing in the Premier League] would be great,” admitted Mathis. “But at the same time I like playing here. I do want soccer to grow here and I think this league can make it. It’s just going to take time. And in order for it to grow I don’t think we need to get rid of everybody. Nothing’s happened yet. I’m here, and I’m very happy here.”
MATHIS NOT TIPPING HAND OVER MAN CITY LINK
04/04/02
by Doug McIntyre
U.S. national team star Clint Mathis has responded to speculation that English Premier League-bound Manchester City want to buy the striker from Major League Soccer.
Mathis scored the only goal in the U.S. team’s 1-0 win over Mexico Wednesday in a friendly match at INVESCO field in Denver. Representatives from Maine Road were in attendance to track the MetroStars player, according to Telemundo broadcaster Andres Cantor.
Rumors started flying on both sides of the Atlantic last week when it emerged that City manager Kevin Keegan traveled to Rostock to personally scout Mathis against the Germans, where he scored both U.S. goals in a 4-2 loss.
Before leaving to join the national team for the games against Germany and Mexico, Mathis spoke to Soccer365 about a possible move to the light blue side of Manchester.
“They’re doing really well,” Mathis said of City, who need just one point from their final three games to guarantee promotion to the Premiership next season.
“You never know, there are always opportunities. The important thing is to concentrate on doing well with the MetroStars, hopefully get to the Wold Cup and do well there, and [we’ll see] what happens after that.
“I’ll definitely leave my door open,” Mathis told 365. “I have to weigh all the options and see what's going to benefit me and my family's future. But until it happens, I don’t even worry about it.”
Mathis’ contract with MLS runs through the end of the 2003 season, and the league likely wouldn’t consider selling him until after this summer’s World Cup Finals. Even then, they may demand that he be allowed to remain with the MetroStars until the end of their season. If MLS does decide to cash in on its first homegrown star, it will undoubtedly expect a record transfer fee in return.
MLS commissioner Don Garber has repeatedly said the league will try to keep young American stars like Mathis playing at home, so it will be interesting to see how MLS handles the future of the first bona fide international star it has produced in its seven year history.
With his latest strike, Mathis now has 8 goals in eighteen international appearances, including 5 in his last 4 matches. He has registered at least a point in his last seven starts for the U.S., and his red-hot form since returning from a long-term knee injury in January has also attracted the attention of two current Premiership clubs, according to a source.
If MLS decides to hold on to Mathis, they could recoup some of his increased salary and expose him to to the world’s best leagues by loaning him to a European side during the long offseason.
MLS stars Brian McBride (Preston North End) and Ben Olsen (Nottingham Forest) spent time in the English first division last season and Dema Kovalenko recently rejoined the Chicago Fire after starting five games this winter with Bundesliga outfit FC St. Pauli.
“[Playing in the Premier League] would be great,” admitted Mathis. “But at the same time I like playing here. I do want soccer to grow here and I think this league can make it. It’s just going to take time. And in order for it to grow I don’t think we need to get rid of everybody. Nothing’s happened yet. I’m here, and I’m very happy here.”