The Fans Speak Out - Brief Article

Kudos on your article about Clint Mathis ["Next Stop Wonderland?" November 2000]. The observations, both positive and critical, of Clint's abilities seem to be accurate and potentially prophetic. I am a former teammate of Clint's from back in our high school days as Heritage Patriots. Even then (and many years before) his proficiency as a soccer star was apparent. Conyers, Georgia, though barely noted on the map (now the site of the 1996 Olympic Equestrian Park) has for several decades brought forth strong, resourceful players, and Mr. Mathis has allowed the rest of us to vicariously enjoy his success. For every star such as Clint playing in MLS, on the national team, and in the Olympics there are thousands upon thousands of others who are right there beside them in spirit. Clint's on-field professionalism extends off the field as well; his wit as sharp as his skills. Regardless of where he plays, Clint's command and vision are certain to offer an entertaining display for his fans for many years to come.

Good luck, Clint, and well done.

Randy Roosekrans Lilburn, Ga.

Well done on your Clint Mathis feature. I think that the U.S. national team needs Mathis on the field, and I can't understand why Bruce Arena continues to ignore this talent. Instead Arena continues to field his old pet projects and personal favorites such as Jovan Kirovski and Tony Sanneh, both useless players. Mathis would be a perfect player to perform behind the strikers when Joe-Max Moore is not available to do so, and his speed, eye for goal, and dangerous long-range shot would give the U.S. a weapon that it sorely needs.

Rick Reynolds via e-mail

Arena screwed

I find it outrageous that U.S. coach Bruce Arena and midfielder Claudio Reyna were suspended for three and two games respectively for their outburst against a FIFA referee in July. Arena and Reyna were right to lambast that official. I saw the game on TV and the ref was totally out of his league, and he cost the U.S. two valuable points. Arena and Reyna had every right to be mad and their suspensions were way out of line.

I think U.S.'s tie to Costa Rica in October, seriously hurting its World Cup chances, was because Arena and Reyna weren't on the field where they rightly belonged. It's clear that FIFA doesn't want the United States in World Cup play.

Ryan Cleaves Charlotte

Defense wins championships

I think it is outrageous that a team as plodding and dull as the Kansas City Wizards won the MLS Cup. It may be a fitting just desserts for Chicago Fire coach Bob Bradley, who won his own MLS championship in 1998 with a deadly dull team, but its poor for the fans. The exciting Fire offense plays an attractive brand of soccer that I wish were the ones rewarded. Instead, the Wizards packing the box wins hardware. When people complain about how soccer is dull and unattractive, the Wizards exemplify that. It's a shame.

Mark Duston via e-mail

Enough of this complaining about the Kansas City Wizards. The best team won the MLS championship. Period. The Wizards were the league's best from Day One, so how can anyone complain that they won the title? Playing safe, smart, and using effective counterattacks has been rewarded in Italy and elsewhere around the world for years, so why can't we see the effectiveness of this here? Is the U.S. so blinded by run-and-gun sports such as basketball and hockey, that we can't see the beauty in the Kansas City Wizards? I hope not. Well done to coach Bob Gansler, Tony Meola, and the rest of the team. Good luck next year.

Jeff Henderson via e-mail