When Darren Mattocks joined the Black-and-Red from the Portland Timbers in December of 2017, the forward came to the District determined to prove himself. In Portland, the Jamaican never truly broke into a starting role, making 43 appearances between the 2016 and 2017 seasons and tallying five goals and five assists. Since joining United, Mattocks has already matched his goal total from Portland, scoring five times in his first nine appearances for his new club. As Ben Olsen's go-to starting forward so far this season, Mattocks has continued to find ways to show his finishing ability and athleticism up top.
After scoring a number of goals in the Black-and-Red's preseason friendlies, Mattocks notched his first MLS goal for D.C. in the Week 2 matchup at Atlanta United. The forward made a late run into the box and slipped behind Atlanta's back line where he beat Brad Guzan with a shot to the near post.
A week later, in United's match against the Houston Dynamo at the Maryland SoccerPlex, Mattocks again started the scoring off for the home side. After making an aggressive run into the six-yard box, the forward received a ball from Yamil Asad, cut to the inside, and fired to the far netting for his second goal in as many matches.
Mattocks' first career goals for the Black-and-Red demonstrated his skill at making well-timed runs and finding space behind defenses, and answered any looming questions about whether he'd consistently produce up top. His contributions continued during United's April 28 match at Philadelphia, where the Jamaican scored his third, and arguably most impressive, goal of the year. Midfielder Zoltán Stieber sent a pinpoint cross to Mattocks' right foot and the forward managed to leap into the air and gracefully volley his shot past follow Jamaican Andre Blake.
In United's most recent fixtures, Mattocks has again scored in back-to-back showings, and will look to make it three in a row come the Black-and-Red's next match on June 9 at Seattle. On May 19, Mattocks put United up 2-0 against San Jose midway through the first half when he made a splitting run off of Luciano Acosta's shoulder, received a pass just behind San Jose's line, and calmly finished to the far post from a tight angle.
Against LAFC on May 28, the forward came up clutch in the match's final moments, heading home an 84th-minute equalizer for the Black-and-Red's first-ever goal against LAFC and first-ever goal at Banc of California Stadium. Paul Arriola out-jumped two LA defenders on the corner kick and headed a ball across to Mattocks, whose goal secured another crucial road point for D.C. The forward earned Man of the Match honors for his efforts.
Mattocks currently leads the Black-and-Red in goals (five), shots (20), and shots on goal (nine). He's tied for fifth in the league for goals scored and fifth in the league for big chance total (10). In addition to already matching his goalscoring total from two seasons in Portland, Mattocks has also already matched United's leading scorers' totals from 2017—Luciano Acosta and Patrick Mullins shared the team's golden boot award with five goals a piece last season.
With a prime opportunity to prove himself as a starting forward, Mattocks has continued to elevate the Black-and-Red, providing a threat up top with his off-ball runs and knack for creating space, and using his athletic ability to beat defenders in the air or in a foot race.
While his first matches with United have showed his promise, Mattocks remains focused on asserting himself as one of MLS' leading scorers as the rest of the season unfolds. And with an extended homestand at Audi Field kicking off this July, Mattocks will have plenty of opportunities to excite and impress the home fans this summer.
