Jan. 7, 2005

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –
After spending the last season playing with Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga, former South Carolina standout Clint Mathis will return to Major League Soccer. One of the MLS’ expansion teams, Real Salt Lake, announced on Thursday that it will use its first player allocation to acquire Mathis.

Mathis formerly played for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of the MLS, scoring 48 goals over six seasons. The Conyers, Ga., native also had considerable experience with the United States Men’s National Team, including leading the team in scoring in 2002 with 16 points on seven goals and two assists and playing in the World Cup the same year.

“Clint’s ability and willingness to shoot from distance is one of the things that sets him apart,” Real Salt Lake head coach John Ellinger told MLSnet.com. “He can just take a game over and explode on opposing teams. He is an adept passer, he’s menacing on free kicks and we’re thrilled to have him in Salt Lake.”

Mathis is thrilled to begin his tenure with Real Salt Lake.

“I am very excited to be here in Salt Lake, playing for John Ellinger and performing as part of a world-class team,” Mathis told MLSnet.com. “Everything I’ve heard about this community and their response to what Dave Checketts and Steve Pastorino are doing off the field, combined with my happiness to be playing for John, gives me a great feeling of anticipation for the MLS season. I can’t wait to get out there and play.”

Mathis played at South Carolina 1994-97, starting 57 of 58 collegiate matches, and he remains the school’s third all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and 15 assists for 121 points. He was two-time All-American (first team in 1995 and third team in 1997), three-time Hermann Trophy finalist (1995-1997) and three-time finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award (1995-1997). In 1995 as a sophomore, he led the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament and a top-five ranking, scoring in 16 of 19 games he played in. Mathis tied for the national lead in 1995 with 25 goals scored and finished fifth in the country with 53 points.