Mattocks looking to join Reggae Boyz's ranks

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Following a remarkable season in which he led Akron University to the NCAA Division One Men's Championships last year, striker Darren Mattocks is very eager for a call-up to the senior Reggae Boyz team.

The 20-year-old Mattocks was voted the Freshman Player of the Year after netting a team-high 18 goals, while dishing out six assist, to help Akron secure their first national title.

He ended one goal short of winning the leading goalscorer's title.

Mattocks, who was here for Christmas holidays, told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday that he has matured a lot as a player and is now ready to prove his worth on the big stage.

"I think that this experience that I have gained at Akron University has fully prepared me to take on any challenge at the next level," said Mattocks, who won the Manning Cup title with Bridgeport High in 2006.

"I am just anxiously awaiting my call-up to the senior team because even though I am still a young player, I think that my experience and knowledge from playing overseas has prepared me for this and hopefully I can prove it on the national team," Mattocks said.

Despite Mattocks' exploits in his first season in America's top collegiate football competition, many pundits are predicting him to be an early second-round pick in this month's Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft.

Mattocks, meanwhile, notes that he will be returning to school to further his development and studies.

"I think I am ready for the MLS because I have learnt a lot more about the game. But I believe that one more year in school will be much better for me," said Mattocks, who was also voted to the All-American Freshman team.

Financial value

Mattocks continued: "I also believe that if I wait another year my financial value will also go up because what they are offering me now financially is not good enough.

"Hopefully by next year I will be playing for one of the top clubs in the MLS or in Europe because there have been a lot of calls from clubs overseas enquiring about me," said Mattocks, who is an admirer of Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard.

Mattocks, who is currently majoring in marketing at Akron, which is also the school of fellow countryman, MaKaully Tulloch, noted that hard work was the key to his success last season.

"I think that this is the hardest I have ever worked in my life," Mattocks recalls. "My work rate increased like two to three times compared to playing out there (Jamaica)," he said.

"They have a very demanding programme over there because they play at such a high level and I think that this has also prepared me for the next level in my football career," Mattocks pointed out.