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MLS New York Red Bulls

MetroStars Forward Clint Mathis Inks Deal With Hannover 96

January 22, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (Thursday, January 22, 2004) - MetroStars forward Clint Mathis signed a contract with German Bundesliga club Hannover 96 today after spending the previous four seasons with the "Red and Black." Due to Mathis' departure, the MetroStars will be receiving an allocation from MLS. The Conyers, GA native will join Hannover immediately.

"This is the next step to move on to something different," said Mathis. "I am definitely looking to come back to MLS at a certain point, the league has been great for me. It was a good learning process for me and it helped me to make it to Europe. I just enjoyed my time in the New York/New Jersey area and the fans were great. They welcomed me and I enjoyed them very much. It was just time for a change and to do something different."

Mathis, 27, leaves the Metros after playing in 67 games (66 starts), scoring 33 goals and 21 assists for 87 points with the MetroStars, which ranks him second in team history behind Giovanni Savarese (41 goals, 12 assists for 94 points). The South Carolina product set a MLS record with a five-goal outburst on August 26, 2000 against the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl in a thrilling 6-4 win. The three-time MetroStars/Budweiser Scoring Champion captured the 2001 MLS Goal of the Year award for his highlight-reel 60-yard run through the Burn at Giants Stadium to give the Metros a 3-2 win. The Metros compiled a 22-0-4 record when Mathis scores a goal.

"We congratulate Clint," said MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "He was a tremendous asset for the MetroStars. He delivered some of the most memorable moments in this team's history and it was a pleasure to watch him develop on the field. Clint's passion, energy, and scoring ability made him a star for our team."

The explosive forward propelled into a star on the international level for the United States National Team when he helped sink Mexico in World Cup Qualifying on February 28, 2001 in a 2-0 win at Columbus, OH. Mathis then continued his run with the U.S., earning 38 caps (appearances) and 11 goals. He also found the back of the net at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, when he scored the lone goal for the U.S. in a 1-1 tie with Korea.

"We are very proud of Clint," said MetroStars Head Coach Bob Bradley. "We feel this move will help him further his career. We appreciate everything that Clint did during his years with the MetroStars. We are excited that he will have this opportunity and we wish him the best."

The four-time MLS All-Star compiled a MLS career mark of 132 games played (109 starts), logging 9,990 minutes, scoring 48 goals and 38 assists for 134 points with both the Los Angeles Galaxy and the MetroStars. The Metros selected Mathis on May 16, 2000 in a dispersal draft as part of Los Angeles' acquisition of Luis Hernandez.

Hannover 96 is currently in 11th place in the Bundesliga with a 5-7-5 record for 20 points. The team is currently on winter break and will resume its season on February 1 against Hamburger SV. U.S. National Team veteran and 2002 World Cup team member Steve Cherundolo also plies his trade for Hannover 96.

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