Meeting the Man: A moment on FieldTurf with Mathis
Thomas Binkley; September 13, 2007

The significance of 45 to all of us who love this team and all what Mathis represents cannot be quantified. I begged and pleaded with MetroFanatic to get a moment on the field with Clint, as he was one of those that made me fall in love with the MetroStars. So, our crew of four so-called distinguished guests was issued field passes and escorted down to the field during warm-ups. We were told how the ceremony would go, a few pictures would be taken by an official photographer, and we would be escorted back off the field.

While watching warm-ups from the field, Marc de Grandpre came over and stood with us for several minutes. He handed one of us a NYRB pin to affix to a sport coat, making him look like a member of the Red Bull family. I was surprised that Marc remembered me by name and asked him to come visit the lot before a game, as our growth and the buzz around the ESC has changed significantly this season. I asked about Kearny being a potential training site and was told that it was on the list of several, as the video of the CGI renderings of what Hanover would become were shown on the video screens above.

After the team pictures were taken, and the MLS theme song and usual pomp and circumstance subsided, we were escorted onto the field, together with Marc and a covered picture. The picture turned out to be one of Mathis scoring number 45 and the well-known paint brush graffiti look that Red Bull uses on most of its marketing material.

Mathis, who in reality is much smaller in stature than I've made him out to be in my mind, shook our hands, looked straight in the eye, and said "Thank you very much for this". We took several group photos with Clint holding the Crystal Vase that was purchased to resemble a beer glass (for obvious reasons), and a Mathis Legend shirt that was created to commemorate this achievement.

Together with Clint's wife, we were rushed off the field. It was the first real moment that I could see ESC and its numbers from the field. There's nothing like seeing 101 filled with people in team colors, singing and cheering. I started clapping from about 30 yards from the gate, because of how powerful the moment really was. At around the corner flag, I heard several people chanting "There's only one Thomas Binkley!" For that single minute, I wasn't myself with a job, bills, and a monster commute. I was someone walking through the tunnel that was being honored, as if I was on the field with those we love or love to hate. For the second time in less than a year, I had chills down my spine and clapped back to show respect to every single person in 101 that shows up to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and make those on the artificial green stuff feel the same way.

You guys make it happen. The environment that you create is significant.

Thank you all again.

This significant moment in Mathis' career was greatly important to all of us who remember the rough-around-the-edges "Cool Ranch" Mathis, who did things in a Metro uniform that showed his true passion for the game and forced you to have a place in your heart for him.

It could also have been that same passion for playing the game that may have been lost in Germany, not found in Salt Lake, and definitely wasn't in Colorado. Mathis knows New York is his place and he knows he made a mark here. The number of goals and their significance may last a lifetime, but most likely don't replace the immediate feeling of hearing 101 or the other supporters singing your name or knowing you did well. After several years of moving, coming back here wasn't easy for him, but home is where you make it. Home is where you make your mark and touch those around you. Clint's done that and I hope that he realizes that even with all the moves in his career he is Metro to us. Always.

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