Clint Mathis returning to LA Galaxy

Jan 15, 2010 - 12:31 AM LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Veteran midfielder Clint Mathis is returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy in a draft-day trade with Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy traded the 15th overall pick and a third-round selection to Salt Lake on Thursday for the 16th pick and Mathis, who began his MLS career as a first-round choice by Los Angeles in 1998.

Mathis had 15 goals and 17 assists in 65 games with the Galaxy before departing for New York. After a 20-game stop in the German Bundesliga, he rejoined MLS with Real Salt Lake in 2005.

He briefly returned to Los Angeles in 2007 before spending parts of the past two seasons with Real, helping them beat the Galaxy to win last year's MLS Cup.

Mathis scored 12 goals in 46 appearances with the U.S. national team from 1998 to 2005.