November 23, 2009 REACHING A BIG, BIG GOAL MLS Cup win satisfies Mathis, who will look for other challenges
Clint Mathis played well as a sub for RSL. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
SEATTLE -- During a raucous post-MLS Cup celebration in the Real Salt Lake locker room at Qwest Field Sunday night, the only things that Clint Mathis was wearing was a towel on his waist and a big smile on his face.
"I'm chilling," he said. "I'm too old for this. I think you guys know throughout my career I celebrated enough, whether it's winning or losing."
Mathis then laughed.
He could afford to after Real made history by becoming the first sub-.500 team to win the league championship.
In his 12-year professional career, Mathis had reached several goals, including playing and winning in a World Cup.
"This is one of the things that I hadn't had in my career," he said. "When I was a little kid, I had always dreamed of playing in a World Cup and winning the championship. No matter where I have been, I had never won a championship. This is one thing that has been just hanging [over] my head. Now it's all said and done. I've accomplished everything I want to do. So now I want start to set new goals. I'll sit down in the off-season and [see] what that is."
Mathis' hopes came to fruition when teammate and defender Robbie Russell converted his shootout goal to give Real a 5-4 penalty kick win over the Los Angeles Galaxy after playing to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
"I was still hoping I would have the legs to run there," he said with another laugh. "I hadn't played 90 minutes in a while. Counting overtime I did. I was a little tired. It's a great feeling. I just want to cherish the moment and . . . and everything and sit back and just let it soak in."
Mathis, a former Red Bulls midfielder who was relegated to a reserve role in the playoffs, had an opportunity to assert himself on his first MLS Cup since his second season in 1999. He was on the enemy side then, performing for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a loss to D.C. United.
"I didn't have a couple of great games near the end of the season. so they wanted to change the lineup and we started winning," he said. "Hey, if something is not broke, why fix it? I'm a big believer in that. Was I happy that wasn't starting? No. I want to be out there. It's about being in these big-time games and cherishing every moment. But if I'm not out there, I've got to prepare myself to know I could get subbed in."
Mathis received his big chance in the 22nd minute when an ailing Javier Morales left the match due to a LCL knee sprain. The former U.S. international did not disappointment. At least several members of the media voted for Mathis as game MVP -- teammate and goalkeeper Nick Rimando earned that honor by saving two shootout attempts.
"Unfortunately, Javier got hurt," Mathis said. "It was a downfall. My big breakthrough with the National Team was in Columbus when Claudio got hurt."
That occurred during a 2-0 World Cup victory over archrival Mexico in February, 2001.
"It's funny how the full circle comes back around," Mathis said. "I got in there. I tried to create chances and had a couple of shots. Things didn't work out there, but overall I thought I played a good game. At the end of the day, it didn't matter if i played like [crap]. We are champions. At the end of the day, that's what matters."
Mathis helpd Real during the shootout, converting the team's second penalty chance past L.A. backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who came on for the injury Donovan Ricketts midway through the second half.
"You've always got to be confident," he said. "If you second guess yourself, that's when you miss. I went out and said, 'Hey, i'm going to make this.' I made one last week in Chicago and I told myself the same thing. You go up and you take it and if you miss, you miss. The best players in the world miss."
Real, the decided underdogs to the star-laden Galaxy, finished the regular season at 11-12-7 and as the eighth and final seed of the playoffs.
Last year RSL and Mathis came tantalizing close as they were eliminated by the Red Bulls in the Western Conference final. This year, it was Real's turn as it had to play in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket.
"You can look back and say, 'What if or we should have done this. We should have won the game against New York. what if still means [crap]," he said. "It's about doing. People this year counted us out and said we should have not make the playoffs. It doesn't matter if you make the playoffs and you finish eighth or first.
"I've said this a gazillion times. the way this league is set up, it's about just getting in the playoffs. If you start playing great soccer at that time, good soccer, this team has been the better team in every game they have played. I honestly believe it.
"It was meant to happen. I think these guys worked their [butts] off. It's big time, the fact that everybody counted us out. Most of you guys know that I like to prove people wrong."
Mathis said winning MLS was "one of the best feelings you can have. People have counted me out many times throughout my career. I went out there and I thought I had a good game. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. I got the gold medal around my neck."
