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Rapids trade Mathis to Red Bulls

By The Associated Press
Posted 5:35AM on Friday 30th March 2007 ( 16 years ago )
<p>Colorado Rapids forward Clint Mathis wanted to start. Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo couldn't guarantee that.</p><p>So the two sides reached an amicable resolution Friday, and Mathis, of Conyers, Ga., was traded to the New York Red Bulls for a fourth-round draft pick in 2008 and a conditional pick in 2009.</p><p>Clavijo said the Red Bulls also will take on the Rapids' share of Mathis' contract. Real Salt Lake absorbed a major portion of Mathis' guaranteed deal when it traded him to the Rapids in December 2005.</p><p>Mathis approached Clavijo about his role with the team two weeks ago while the Rapids were training in Europe.</p><p>"I told him he was in my plans, but not to start," Clavijo said. "He said he wanted to show himself. We tried to accommodate him. I didn't want to drag this thing out."</p><p>Mathis played one season for Colorado, appearing in 25 games in 2006, scoring two goals and adding an assist. He also had a goal in Colorado's 3-2 win over FC Dallas in the playoffs to help the Rapids advance to the Western Conference championships.</p><p>Mathis may be best known as the mohawk-wearing, cocky kid who made a big splash as a member of the U.S. national team at the 2002 World Cup. He scored a memorable goal in a 1-1 tie with South Korea.</p><p>The rebel in Mathis has subsided. He now wears his hair closely cropped.</p><p>The trade to the Red Bulls will reunite Mathis with former U.S. coach Bruce Arena and former American captain Claudio Reyna.</p><p>Mathis played for the New York-area team from 2000-03, when it was knock as the MetroStars.</p><p>Mathis returned to the MLS in 2005 after a tumultuous year with Hannover in the German Bundesliga. While playing with the expansion team Real Salt Lake in 2005, Mathis scored three goals.</p><p>"He pretty much requested to look at other opportunities," Clavijo said. "We don't want anyone here who's not happy. He left on good terms."</p><p>Clavijo said the Rapids made calls around the league and New York and Toronto FC expressed the most interest.</p><p>"I wish him well," Clavijo said. "It's up to him to be the best player (he can be)."</p>

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