Mattocks off to big new challenge

Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Former Bridgeport High Manning Cup star, Darren Mattocks, left the island yesterday for a pre-season training camp with Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 21-year-old Mattocks, who was selected second overall by the Whitecaps in the MLS Super Draft last week, said he is ready for whatever challenge he might encounter and is looking forward to a very productive season in Canada.

"I have been away from competitive football for about a month now but I think I am in pretty good shape and so I am going there with a mindset to work very hard," said Mattocks. "I am also eagerly anticipating this new challenge in my career because it is my dream to play professional football," he said.

Mattocks, who signed a lucrative three-year endorsement contract with the MLS prior to being drafted, said he does not know much about the Whitecaps' organisation and its players, but he has been in constant dialogue with the team's coaches.

optimistic

"I am going to go there to work very hard and to build a good chemistry with my teammates and also to score a lot of goals this season for the Whitecaps," said Mattocks, who scored 39 goals in 47 career matches for collegiate powerhouse University of Akron in the state of Ohio.

Mattocks, who led Akron to the NCCA National Division One Championships in 2010, also helped Bridgeport to win Manning Cup title in 2006.

"I am a winner because everywhere I go I have been winning trophies and hopefully I can help Vancouver to win the MLS," Mattocks said.

He also stated that one of his main goals in the MLS next season is to break fellow countryman Damani Ralph's rookie-year goalscoring record.

"I think I am good enough to become the rookie of the year and I also want to break the MLS rookie goalscoring record of 11 goals, which is presently held by my good friend Damani Ralph," he said.

Mattocks, who was called up for the first time to the senior Reggae Boyz team for a four-day training camp last month, added that he hopes to be a part of the national set-up for the World Cup qualifiers later this year.

"It is my dream to play for my country at the highest level and especially since this year is a World Cup qualifying year.

"I just hope that the coaching staff will recognise my hard work and give me a call-up," Mattocks said.