Still, as an American who is proving his ability at the international level, Mathis is sure to be coveted by teams in Europe, like John Harkes, Eric Wynalda and Claudio Reyna before him. It's always been a dream of mine, but my focus right now is the M.L.S. I play with a team that wins and plays well. Ga. He became enchanted with soccer while watching the 1986 World Cup on television. He was drafted out of the University of South Carolina by Octavio Zambrano, the coach of the MetroStars, when Zambrano was the coach of Los Angeles in 1998. Mathis scratched his head and thought for a few moments when asked to pinpoint any reasons for his success since coming to the MetroStars from the Los angeles Galaxy a year ago this month in a dispersal draft.
Confidence is what makes a difference.
Confidence is so important, and I'm glad I'm able to help soccer get exposure. Mathis's contract with the league runs through 2003, and he said his main goal right now was for the MetroStars to win the M.L.S. championship and for the national team to qualify for the World Cup finals. I've been in the right place at the right time. In the past, the national team relied on players from overseas, but now M.L.S. players have been able to produce at the national level. Mathis's MetroStars teammates have been raving about his play and contributions to the team.