Igor Sklyarov

MetroStars forward Clint Mathis will undergo arthroscopic surgery tomorrow in Los Angeles to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, forcing him to miss the Preseason Training Tour in Southern Portugal.

Mathis will be operated on by Dr. Ronald Kvitne, the team doctor for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Mathis believes he may have suffered the injury while training with the U.S. National Team over the past several weeks. He is expected to be ready to resume training with the MetroStars during MLS Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale from March 8-25.

Midfielders Billy Walsh and newly-acquired Richie Williams will also not be with the team during the trip. Walsh is suffering from a possible bone chip in his right foot, which he will get re-examined this week, while Williams will be training with the U.S. National Team for their World Cup qualifying game against Mexico in Columbus on February 28.

MetroStars Preseason Roster (* = invitee):
Goalkeepers - Tim Howard, Russell Payne, Giavanni Salinas (*)
Defenders - Steve Jolley, Orlando Perez, Mike Petke, Mark Reinhold (*), Jeff Rigby (*), Mark Semioli, Steve Shak, Igor Sklyarov, Tony Soto (*)
Midfielders - Mark Chung, Daniel Hernandez, Kerwyn Jemmott, Fausto Klinger (*), Tab Ramos, Petter Villegas
Forwards - Alex Comas, Rodrigo Faria, Martin Klinger, O'Neil Peart, Adolfo Valencia