CHICAGO (Jan. 31, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday that Clint Mathis has joined the club as an assistant coach. A former U.S. International and World Cup veteran whose professional career spanned three countries, Mathis joins the Fire after recently serving as the LA Galaxy Camps and Clinics Supervisor.
“Clint always played with an edge and was one of the most dynamic strikers to play in MLS,” said Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. “He has a wealth of knowledge from his playing career, both domestically and abroad, and at his most recent position with the Galaxy he gained invaluable experience developing young talent. He will be a great asset to our coaching staff, especially from an offensive perspective.”
Mathis is the latest addition and only former offensive player to join Frank Yallop’s technical staff which currently includes technical director Brian Bliss, assistant coach C.J. Brown and goalkeeper coach Aron Hyde.
“I have tremendous respect for Frank and the team he’s assembling in Chicago,” said Mathis. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to return to MLS with such a respected organization."
Clint Mathis – Additional Stats:
Selected sixth overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Galaxy out of the University of South Carolina, Mathis made an immediate impact, making 30 appearances and scoring five goals and adding 10 assists in his rookie season. In the following two seasons, Mathis played in 35 additional matches for the Galaxy and scored 10 goals and tallied seven assists before he was traded to the MetroStars on May 11, 2000.
Following the trade, Mathis continued his success with the MetroStars in 2000, scoring 13 goals and adding 13 assists in 21 regular season matches. On Aug. 26, he set the MLS record that still stands today after scoring five goals in a 6-4 win over the Dallas Burn. For his efforts, Mathis was named a MLS All-Star, a member of the MLS Best XI and was named a finalist for the MLS MVP award. Mathis added three goals and two assists in five playoff matches for the MetroStars before they fell to the Fire in the Eastern Conference Championships.
In the subsequent three seasons with the Metrostars, Mathis appeared in 46 games, scored 20 goals and added eight assists.
In 2004, Mathis signed with German Bundesliga side Hannover 96 where he scored five goals in 17 matches.
Following his stay in Germany, Mathis returned to MLS and joined the expansion side Real Salt Lake. Over the next few seasons, Mathis’ career would include stops with the Colorado Rapids, the New York Red Bulls and the LA Galaxy before he signed with Ergotelis in the Greek Super League in January 2008. Mathis scored in his debut with the Cretans and made eight total appearances before returning to MLS by re-joining Real Salt Lake in August 2008. Mathis started all three postseason matches he appeared in as RSL captured the 2009 MLS Cup.
Mathis’ career would come full circle when he returned to the LA Galaxy in a trade on Jan. 14, 2010. Mathis retired from professional soccer on Aug. 7, 2010 after making nine appearances for the Galaxy that year.
