Red Bulls trade Clint Mathis to Galaxy

Soccer By Ives has learned that the Red Bulls have traded Clint Mathis, the club's all-time goal-scoring leader, to the LA Galaxy for the Galaxy's third-round draft pick in the 2008 MLS Draft. I'll post more information as I get it.

The trade sends Mathis back to the Galaxy, the club where his MLS career started in 1998. It also completes his career with the Red Bulls/MetroStars. He finished with 45 career goals for the Red Bulls and MetroStars, breaking Gio Savarese's club record.

Now Mathis will join the circus in LA, which means teaming up with David Beckham and playing for new LA coach Ruud Gullit.

What do I think of the deal? I think Mathis still has something left and could have been a good option for the Red Bulls, assuming he would have taken a considerable paycut to play for the Red Bulls. Apparently technical director Jeff Agoos thought otherwise.

The deal also makes the Red Bulls' expansion list easier to put together.

What do you think of the trade? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[A Diddy]

Though I like Cleetus, in terms of his contract and potential future contribution, this is probably a wise move for RBNY.

How in the world will Galaxy afford their roster? Will MLS erase some more of their chalk rules to accommodate the "Gem of MLS"?

[Jason B.]

Who makes these decisions w/ no coach? Agoos?

[Nath]

Oh My God! What's going on?

Is is true they brought the Youth program from MLS?

What about Reyna?

[sublicon]

My brain hurts...

[Matt]

Sad to see Mathis go, but this is probably a good move given what we can expect Mathis to contribute in the future and in light of the expansion draft. They can probably protect Doe now, whereas he was in some danger of being a target for the Quakes before. If Reyna gets bought out as well, this leaves a gaping hole behind the strikers. An attack-minded midfield playmaker will be a must for the Red Bulls this offseason.

[MetroTard]

A third round draft pick? Does anyone else think that is completely insane?

[Dingo]

So, now he is part of the Los Angeles Lalacircus.

We should have asked for a higher pick in the draft.

Maybe, we should have asked for Peter Vagenas.
.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

I too would really like to know how LA is going to afford this. Im getting a little annoyed how accomodating the league is to that team in particular. (this is all haterade, TFC wants some accomodations too dammit, like US/CAN players counting as the same)

[Matt]

Yeah, we could/should have gotten a little more than that in exchange.

[kpugs]

Great. Apparently no one was able to put 2 and 2 together and just let Clint play in his natural position behind Jozy and JPA. I still say that trio could have won some more games and would have caused New England trouble.

I am getting sick of the way this team makes decisions that I can't comprehend.

[Matt]

LA had something like 9 draft picks in the first 3 rounds. Surely we could have convinced them to part with something more substantial. Poor deal if a third round pick and salary cap relief is all we get.

[randall]

awesome move by lalas- another name player who not only doesnt fit into their team, actually makes it even more out of wack.

brilliant.

beckham plays in the middle, so rather than find him a partner who can do the defending he doesnt you get mathis? really, im in awe of how clueless lalas is. but hey- people know who mathis is, thats all that matters.

of course he could play forward, hed probably be an upgrade there. too bad hes up there in age and not likely to be a full time player again...

[dbm20th]

First good move. Hope it's not the last

[Squard]

Is anyone looking into all the salary rules that the Galaxy is breaking? How can they afford all these players and still be under the cap? Can they be investigated?

[Speedball]

Does LA get another "over the league max, but let's not call it a DP" slot so that they can fit his salary under the cap?

[Steve W]

I hope Lalas gets the clap. What a bonehead move this is.

[Bonji]

Mathis' antics and poor work ethic will rub Ruud the wrong way. This could be his last year in MLS.

[Ben]

I just suprised this happend before a coach was put into place. Mathis was a team leader and if played in the proper position is very dangerous. If he could have fit into the new coaches plans it would have been better to keep him. Oh well, I guess NY still (Bruce didn't play Mathis there) has no option at ACM.

[Tony in Quakeland (Tony M.)]

Alexi Lalas continues to assemble the MLS all star team – from 2001.

[Nick]

I really see this as RBNY trying to free up cap room in order to bring in new players, I don't necessarily think that means one really good player, but maybe a couple of decent players. Can't really say I blame them for getting rid of him.

[Michael]

I'm a galaxy fan and I don't see how this move addresses any of our problems. We need outside midfielders desperately.

Ives, a huge favor if you get the opportunity, can you try and find out who in LA is making these personnel decisions? Is this Bravo? Lalas? Cobi? Was Ruud consulted? I can't believe that Ruud would know enough about his new team to make any kind of moves just yet. none of us in LA know who is making the decisions anymore and no one in the LA office will clarify for us and our local journos don't seem to be willing to investigate.

Also, who's paying Mathis' salary?

[tommymcb]

These complaints about LA and the salary cap are premature. We don't know what Mathis will be getting paid next year.

I loved rooting for Mathis, but we could not expect him to be an impact player next year. It makes sense to free up cash, and bring in someone else.

[NY Soccer]

if clint's contract is up with the league, he costs the team nothing but his rights. say clint decided to hang em up or leave mls altogether next week, rbny gets nothing. therefore they traded the rights to negotiate a new deal with clint. that is why this deal isnt that bad.

[Beto]

Is Cletus the first piece of the "Sexy football" puzzle???

[Joamiq]

I don't think a 3rd round pick is enough for Mathis.