Position: Defender (Center Back)
Date of Birth: February 14, 1981 (27)
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 154
Previous Clubs: Defensora de Belgrano (Argentine 3rd Division), Huracan, Argentinos Juniors
National Team Exp: none
Jersey Number: #27
Current Status: Senior Roster (International)
How Acquired: Transfer from Defensora de Belgrano
Personal summary: Matias was born in Buenos Aires. He has been linked with at least one model (see links below) in the past. On the field, he is known to be very passionate, and has received his share of discipline as a result.
Professional summary/highlights: Matias began playing with Argentinos Juniors, a club that was Argentine first division at the time, but he made a move to 2nd division Huracan after Argentinos Juniors was demoted to the same division. In 2004, he made the switch to 3rd division Defensora de Belgrano before moving to Real Salt Lake in 2007.
Webpages/Myspace/Facebook:
Youtube/video links: Goal versus Kansas City
Other links: MLS Player profile: Matias Mantilla/MLSnet; Wikipedia Page: Matias Mantilla/Wiki, Pic - Goal celebration, Model friend - Silvina Luna
Keepin It Real Expectations for 2008: Matias will be competing with Nat Borchers, Jamilson Olave and rookie David Horst for one of two center back positions. He also could see some time at an outside back position with the lack of depth that the team has at that spot. We expect him to start 80% of the matches, and perform reasonably well. By the end of the season, it's possible that that Olave and Borchers will hold down the center back positions because of their physical attributes.
Fans Scorecard Ratings: Mantilla Rating
Interesting Fact/tidbits/quote: Referred to as “Mati” by his teammates. Mantilla was not originally a target for RSL, but came to Kreis’ attention when he was in Argentina scouting Javier Morales and Fabian Espindola. "I went down to Argentina without even a thought on my mind of picking a defender up," said coach Jason Kreis of his recent trip down to Argentina to find some impact players for the club. "The agent I was in contact with represents all three players (Mantilla, Fabian Espindola and Javier Morales), and he asked me if I had any need for a central defender, and I said no. I thought about it a little longer and I thought, 'Yeah, I do but next year.' When I saw his highlights and his DVD, I instantly was trying to figure out how I was going to get all three players because I feel he is that special ... I left there feeling like we had to get him."
