Clint Mathis Returns to the Galaxy from Red Bulls

His options dwindling, Red Bulls striker-attacking midfielder Clint Mathis was traded by New York to the Galaxy in the brief three-hour MLS trading window this morning in exchange for a third round draft pick.

Mathis, whose big-money contract with MLS expires at year's end and under-performed (as usual) in New York, is expected to sign an incentive-laden contract with the Galaxy so the mercurial midfielder can prove he still has what it takes to play in the league.

"We're hoping Clint is motivated and ready to continue," said Paul Bravo, the Galaxy's director of soccer. "I think he thrives in this kind of environment - if we can make him see the light.

It's always going to be a challenge with Clint," Bravo added. "But we're looking to bring in guys who can handle a pressure cooker environment - I think he gets bored. For a third round draft pick, he's definitely worth the risk."

By the way, the Galaxy had the inside track on Mathis because his in-laws live in OC.

Also, Bravo said the Galaxy see Mathis as a potential back-up playmaker for David Beckham, should he end up playing for England next summer at Euro 2008.

From the Galaxy press release:

Mathis, who was originally drafted by the Galaxy in the 1998 SuperDraft, is the 16th leading scorer in MLS history with 59 goals in his nine-year MLS career. He will join his new Galaxy teammates in Los Angeles this week before heading to Australia with the club on Friday.

Mathis, who will turn 31 on Sunday, was drafted by the Galaxy in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1998 MLS College Draft and went on to appear in 65 games for the club, scoring 15 goals and adding 17 assists. Midway through the 2000 season, Mathis was traded to the MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) as part of the Galaxy’s acquisition of Luis Hernandez. He played the next three and a half years in New York, where he is now the club’s all-time leading scorer in all competitions, and with whom he was a finalist for the 2000 MLS Honda MVP Award and was named to the 2000 MLS Best XI.

After a year in the German Bundesliga with Hannover 96, Mathis returned to MLS, joining expansion club Real Salt Lake in 2005 before being traded to Colorado for the 2006 season and then on to the Red Bulls in 2007, with whom he scored six goals and added two assists in 26 games. In the Red Bulls 5-4 win over LA in August, Mathis tallied a goal and an assist, with the goal giving him a team-record 45 in all competitions during his career with the club.

A member of the U.S. National Team, Mathis has collected 46 caps and scored 12 goals since debuting with the National Team in 1998. He was a member of the U.S. squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup scoring the American’s only goal in the 1-1 draw with the host nation Korea Republic.

Red Bull New York Technical Director Jeff Agoos was also pleased with the move:

“By acquiring this pick, we will now be able to have a selection in every round of the 2008 SuperDraft. This allows us more flexibility moving forward.”

Is Mathis still capable of scoring five goals like this?

What do you think?

I'll have more on my conversation with Bravo and word of a Chivas USA player who won't be leaving the team as rumored after all in Tuesday's 100 Percent Soccer column in the Daily Breeze and Daily News.