By Ridge Mahoney
Soccer America Magazine
Real Salt Lake forward Clint Mathis wonÆt be on the traveling squad for SundayÆs match against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park and according to a source had been barred from team training sessions for the past week.
General manager Steve Pastorino confirmed in a telephone conversation Friday afternoon that Mathis wonÆt be in Dallas but wouldnÆt comment on why he had been disciplined by the team.
''Clint is away for personal reasons and we expect him back on Tuesday, which is when our next regular practice is scheduled,'' said Pastorino, who emphasized that up until recently MathisÆ behavior and cooperation with coaches and team staff members had been ''exemplary.''
In 21 games for Real Salt Lake this season, Mathis has scored two goals and four assists. His absence against FC Dallas further depletes an attack already weakened by a season-ending knee injury suffered by Jason Kreis and the suspension of Andy Williams, who was sent off in stoppage time of Salt LakeÆs 1-0 loss to New England Sept. 3.
Salt Lake trails fourth-place Colorado by 12 points in the Western Conference.
Mathis, who played the full 90 minutes against New England, has reportedly been disciplined for an incident involving he and a teammate at a practice session. Pastorino would not confirm if such an incident was the reasonÆs for MathisÆ absence.
There is no reference to Mathis being suspended in the game notes disseminated by the league Friday.
Under terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and due to the fact that playersÆ contracts are owned by the league and not the individual teams, players may not be suspended or fined by the teams.
All fines and suspensions are meted out by the league. Calls to MLS director of communications Dan Courtemanche seeking a clarification of MathisÆ status were not immediately returned.
The FC Dallas-Real Salt Lake game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. Eastern.