My Signature: Clint Mathis on Having His Jersey Retired

Clint Mathis (1994-97) made a lot of history playing soccer for South Carolina, as a professional, and as a member of the U.S. National Team. Now he’s making history again as the first Gamecock soccer player to have his jersey retired at a ceremony prior to Friday’s 7 p.m. game at Stone Stadium against Florida International. The two-time All-American finished his career as the third all-time leading scorer for the Gamecocks, and he still owns the school record for the most points, goals and game-winning goals in a season. He later played professionally after being selected sixth overall by the L.A. Galaxy in the 1998 Major League Soccer draft and played for the U.S. National Team in 1998 as well as the 2002 in the World Cup.

Obviously, this is where my career started at South Carolina as an adult. It really catapulted me to reach that next level so, for the University to reach out to me with Athletic Director Ray Tanner telling me that I would be the first soccer player to have their jersey retired was a huge honor. I am very excited. Living in California, I don’t get to visit that much. Being able to go back to the school, which will be looking a lot different from when I was there, I’m looking forward to it very much. It’s just an amazing honor, and it’s up there with the coolest things I’ll get to do.

I was excited to go to South Carolina as the previous year they had made it to the College Cup Finals, and the main thing was the guys that were there. When I went on my recruiting trip, I got to meet all the guys and Coach (Mark) Berson, who I could tell was a great person not only from a coaching standpoint, but also as a human being. The main thing was the feeling of comradery with my teammates even before I was a teammate of them. It also allowed me to be far enough away from home (Georgia) to let me be on my own. I was able to learn and grow and become my own person but also be close enough so that my family could come and watch every other weekend when we played at home.

The main memories of my time at South Carolina were the fans. Back then there weren’t that many of them in college soccer, but I remember playing at the old “Graveyard” stadium, as we called it. We played Clemson my freshman year, and we had the entire place packed. We had all the alumni in one section. It was amazing to be standing on the sideline when the opposing team was trying to throw the ball in, and the fans were so close to them. We beat Clemson as well, but just to see that atmosphere in the town of Columbia and have that many people come out and support college soccer was awesome.

During my time, Coach Berson had a great impact. I was 17 when I started at South Carolina, so I was one of the younger ones coming in. He had the understanding though of protecting me because I was smaller, so he gave me the work ethic to push forward and become stronger and better. He also helped me get through the injury I had at the end on my sophomore season in the playoffs against Coastal Carolina where I thought I would never play soccer again. He gave me the support to push me through it and just to be a good person. He cares about people and not just players going through the program.

Going through my career, the World Cup was just an amazing time. We were part of a team which was counted out, and to not to do that well especially after previous tournaments. But Bruce Arena did a phenomenal job getting guys who weren’t just great soccer players, but great teammates. We just went out and had fun even in the tough times. We could play so well together on the field but also be great teammates off the field. Going to the World Cup with them and having the results we did in the tough group was incredible. We lost to Germany in the best game which we probably should have won, but it was an amazing journey. It’s just one of those moments like this jersey retirement that I’m never going to forget.

After coaching a couple seasons in Chicago, I had to make a decision. We just had our fourth child and I had been offered a couple of coaching jobs. I remember sitting there and making the decision to leave soccer and focus on my family. I didn’t want to keep moving them from city to city. It was important for my children to live their life and let them stay in the same place with their friends. I do still keep in touch with soccer. A couple people have given me framed pictures of awards I’ve got, and my son, who is 11 now, wanted me to hang all on his bedroom wall. He didn’t get to see a lot my career, but he wanted to see his dad playing soccer.

I can’t wait to get back and see everybody. I have friends that are going to be there that I haven’t seen in a long time. I’m also looking forward to being on campus and taking it all back in. I know as soon as I get back in at that airport and start driving towards campus, it’s going to bring back a lot of memories. Life passes you by fast and it seems like only few days ago that I was in college; going out with friends and probably getting into trouble like I wasn’t supposed to. Its tough seeing old teammates when you grow up and go separate ways, so I’m looking forward to being back.
 

 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CLINT MATHIS

DaMarcus Beasley (U.S National Team 2001-2017) on Clint

“For me, playing with Clint– he made soccer easy. He was always someone you could count on, especially in big games – he scored a lot of big goals throughout his career in Europe and MLS and obviously with the national team. Playing with Clint, you knew he was going to do something special. You knew what kind of player he was. Whether it was a great goal, free kicks, making some crazy moves, taking on a player one-on-one, making the last pass or something. You just always knew Clint was going to do something special on the field. That’s what he was – special. He was a special player on the field. He is definitely, 100 percent, one of the GOATs of U.S. Soccer. Hands down, it’s not even a question. Through what he did for the sport in this country, it was just remarkable. Happy to call him a former teammate, more so to call him a friend. We have been through a lot on the field, through some of the good times and bad, Clint, he was someone that even though I was older, I looked up to him. Off the field, he is a great guy, a great person to be around, great guy in the locker room. I can go on and on about Clint because he really was that dude. It was just great to play with him.”
 
(on being honored by the University of South Carolina) “It’s a huge honor and something he definitely deserves. With all of the work he put in to perfect his craft in this game – it’s amazing. For them to honor him, at his college in South Carolina,  I’m sure it is an amazing feeling for him, for his family, his mom, his dad, his wife, everybody. I’m sure everyone is proud of what he accomplished in his career.”
 
Taylor Twellman (U.S. Men’s National Team 2002-2008) on Clint

“Clint was one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen growing up and then ultimately playing with. He could pull things off that few could and played with an edge that was contagious. And even fewer had as much personality as Clint had both on and off the field, and I am so lucky I got to be along for the ride. Players like Clint deserve their number to be retired. Congrats Clint!!!”

Landon Donovan (U.S. National Team 1998-2014) on Clint

“Clint was one of the most talented players I ever played with but, more importantly, is one of the truly nice people in the game.  His career provided so many special memories for all of US Soccer and it was a pleasure to be able to play alongside him.  The memory of his goal in the 2002 World Cup against Korea will be forever bring a smile to my face!”