Thursday Wrap: Galaxy's Clint Mathis Signs Contract With Greek Team (No Kidding) & More

This Is Greek To Me

Just when you thought things couldn't get any weirder, The Washington Post's Steven Goff, (the best soccer reporter in - ahem - LA) observed that the mercurial Clint Mathis has apparently signed with a team in Crete. Really.

Here's a translation of the Web site Goff refers to courtesy of Babel Fish:

The PAE International Union Ergote'lis announces the acquisition of American INTERNATIONAL footballer CLINT MATHIS for one year. The Clint Mathis was given birth on 25 November 1976 in the city of Tzw'rtzja. It has height 1.77 and fights as mesoepjcetjko's. It has in the asset 46 attendances with the national team of United States and has fought in teams as: Los Angelas Gka'laxj, Me'trostars, Hanover, Rea'l Solt Le'jk, Colorado Ra'pjnts and New York.

Got that?

The Greek team is apparently a horrible one, by the way. There's a lively discussion here.

So what was with that "Mathis is happy to return to LA 'cos his in-laws live in the OC thing anyway?"

For what it's worth, I just called Galaxy spokesman Patrick Donnelly and he had no idea what's going on.

Well, alrighty then, there goes my planned Mathis column, I guess.

Esky Speaks

Sticking with Goff's site, he caught up with soon-to-be Chivas USA striker Alecko Eskandarian here. And yes, I deliberately stole Goff's blog post headline.

Cobi Honored

A couple of hours before retired Galaxy great Cobi Jones was honored in Marina del Rey, the Galaxy released this (edited) press release:

LA Galaxy assistant coach Cobi Jones will be honored with a Commitment to Excellence Award at the 8th Annual L.A. Sports Fans Choice Awards on Thursday evening at the Marina Del Ray Marriott. Jones, who played his 12th and final season with the Galaxy in 2007, is scheduled to be presented his award by Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell and Los Angeles Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to receive this award by the sports fans of Los Angeles,” Jones said. “I was raised in this city and I have always tried to represent it to the best of my abilities so it is truly special to be selected for this award by the people who I share this community with.”

A true Galaxy legend, Jones is the only player in MLS history to have played with the same club for each of the first 12 seasons of the league’s existence. A Southern California native, Jones officially joined the Galaxy on March 1996 and went on to win two MLS Cup championships, two U.S. Open Cup championships and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup with the club. Jones, who was named an assistant coach for the club shortly after the conclusion of the 2007 campaign, is the Galaxy’s all-time leader in nearly every offensive statistic, including goals, assists, games played, games started and many more. For his career, Jones finished with 70 goals and 91 assists, making him one of just two players in league history with 70 goals and 90 assists, in 306 career games.

In addition to Jones, three Galaxy players have been nominated for various awards which will be awarded at Thursday’s ceremony. Defender Ty Harden and midfielder Kevin Harmse have been nominated for the Rising Star award while Landon Donovan is up for the MVP award. Both awards encompass all professional sports in the Southland, including nominees from the Angels, Dodgers, Clippers, Lakers, Ducks, Kings, Sparks and Chivas USA.

Of course, Cobi actually grew up in Westlake Village on the border of LA and Ventura counties, but let's not quibble. And he's probably on stage as I write this.

Becks Vitriol

Meanwhile, a particularly vitriolic anti-David Beckham column from his native England is here. Ouch.

And right after Becks met the British Prime Minister, too.