Friday, June 07, 2002
Mathis waiting for chance
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
SEOUL, South Korea — Clint Mathis keeps waiting.
The charismatic attacker, his hair newly shorn into a Mohawk, sat on the bench as the United States shocked Portugal 3-2 in its World Cup opener Wednesday.
He says he can play, that his inflamed left knee isn't a big problem. Still, there's no indication when U.S coach Bruce Arena will put his most imaginative player on the field.
“I felt good. Just a call on his part,” Mathis said Thursday. “I don't think you can complain when you win.”
Mathis felt pain last week in his left knee, the one that underwent surgery in 1995 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He tore the ACL in his right knee on June 5, 2001, and Arena has said Mathis' recovery went slowly.
Last month, after the team gathered in Cary, N.C., Arena made comments that could be considered critical of Mathis. The coach added more last Sunday.
“It's been a tough month for him, because he was physically behind the other players,” he said. “Having said that, I think he's got a real good future if he can just develop some better habits as a professional, and that will happen.”
The remarks haven't seemed to bother Mathis, one of the team's most successful players with nine goals in 22 international appearances.
“I don't pay no attention,” he said. “I got a job to do out there and do it.”
Mathis, a 25-year-old midfielder and forward, is maintaining a happy-go-lucky outlook. Arena has said he is reluctant to start players who aren't capable of going 90 minutes because he doesn't want to commit to substitutes he might otherwise use elsewhere.
Mathis wouldn't get into a public debate over his condition.
“I've never played a World Cup game, so I don't know if I'm ready or not,” he said.
Leading up to the World Cup, he was considered the team's rising star. Bayern Munich in Germany and Perugia in Italy expressed interest in acquiring his rights from Major League Soccer, where he plays for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. U.S. newspapers and magazines featured him in their World Cup previews.
“My opportunity will come,” he said. “I just have to be patient and be prepared when that opportunity comes.”
Arena seemed taken aback this week when his remarks about Mathis' condition, made in response to a reporter's question, received attention. Since then, he has repeatedly praised him.
“Clint has been pretty sharp the last three, four days,” he said. “He's going to have his opportunity.”
Again on Friday, Arena said he didn't understand the fuss being made about Mathis' playing time. “I'm not sure if it's relevant to what we're doing here,” the coach said.
Brian McBride and Landon Donovan started at forward against Portugal, with Earnie Stewart and DaMarcus Beasley as the offensive midfielders playing wide. If Stewart can't play Monday against South Korea because of a strained left groin that forced him out at halftime against the Portuguese, Cobi Jones seems the likely replacement. Jones played the second half against Portugal.
Arena said he didn't talk about Mathis' physical condition to motivate the player.
“That's not my intention, to light a fire,” he said. “You don't want to light fires during the World Cup.”
And while he awaits his chance, Mathis at least looks cool with his new hairdo. His mother, Pat, was surprised to see his new look when he came out of the field at Suwon Stadium.
“I have no idea,” she said when asked why he went for the shearing.
Mathis grew a beard when he arrived in South Korea, then trimmed it to a Fu Manchu and lately a mustache.
“Just got a little bored,” he said.
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Mathis waiting for chance
