Phoenix Rising replenishes attack with Jamaican forward Darren Mattocks
Aug 21, 2021, 10:47 AM
Darren Mattocks #10 of Jamaica celebrates after scoring a goal against Panama during the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals match at Lincoln Financial Field on June 30, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Phoenix Rising FC announced the signing of forward Darren Mattocks on Wednesday for the remainder of the 2021 USL Championship season.
Mattocks stands at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds and will compete with forward David Egbo for the starting No. 9 spot following the departure of striker Rufat Dadashov to FC Schalke 04 II last week.
However, it is highly unlikely the Jamaican will be included in manager Rick Schantz’s Matchday 18 at home against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday having arrived on a transatlantic flight only one day prior.
“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Phoenix Rising,” Mattocks said in a press release. “I look forward to getting to work right away and helping the team achieve its goal of winning a championship this season.”
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Mattocks was with Al-Merrikh SC of the Sudan Premier League for five CAF Champions League matches (three starts) earlier this year, but hasn’t scored since 2019 with MLS side FC Cincinatti — the parent club of current Phoenix loanee goalkeeper Ben Lundt — after not being under contract in 2020.
The Jamaican was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick out of Akron — where he won the 2010 NCAA title and played the 2011 season with PRFC midfielder Aodhan Quinn — in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the current parent club of Egbo.
Mattocks spent eight seasons in MLS with Vancouver (2012-16), Portland Timbers (2016-17), D.C. United (2018) and Cincy (2019).
The soon-to-be 31-year-old made a total of 209 appearances (114 starts) and bagged 40 goals while notching 20 assists across all competitions in the U.S.’s top flight.
The Jamaican also has 18 goals and two assists in 59 matches (32 starts) for his national team — including scoring in both the 2015 Gold Cup Semifinal and Final — which were a 2-1 win over the USMNT and 3-1 loss to Mexico, respectively.
“I’m very excited to add a player of Darren’s ability,” Schantz said in the release. “His experience and understanding of the game will help us in our push for trophies.
“Darren gives us another very dynamic player who can create his own opportunities. He also has the speed to be very dangerous in transition. My hope is he finds great success with us and can earn his way back into the Jamaican national team picture.”
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