Steve Clark (soccer)
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Steven Thomas Clark | ||
| Date of birth | April 14, 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Mason, Michigan, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Columbus Crew | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2008 | Oakland Golden Grizzlies | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005 | West Michigan Edge | 13 | (0) |
| 2006–2009 | Michigan Bucks | 52 | (0) |
| 2009 | Charleston Battery | 0 | (0) |
| 2010–2013 | Hønefoss BK | 94 | (0) |
| 2014– | Columbus Crew | 100 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 29, 2016. | |||
Steven Thomas "Steve" Clark (born April 14, 1986) is an American soccer player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Columbus Crew SC in Major League Soccer. He previously played four years for Hønefoss BK in Norway, where in 2012, he was voted to the Tippeligaen's best XI by TV 2 (Norway).
Career
College and amateur
Clark played soccer in the NCAA for the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies from 2005 to 2008. After red-shirting his first season, Clark went on to win the Grizzlies starting job in 2006, helping the side to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2007-08. Clark won the Summit League's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008 and was named to the All-Midwest Regional First Team.
From 2006–09, Clark played with United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League Michigan Bucks, helping the PDL club to its first league championship in 2006, where he was named championship MVP, before falling on penalties in the title game the next season to Laredo Heat. In 2008, Clark helped the Bucks to the club's second regular season championship and first since 2000, en route to winning the Paul R. Scicluna trophy, awarded annually to the club's Most Valuable Player. From 2006-08, Clark also helped the Bucks to three-straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearances. In all, the Lansing native appeared in 75 matches over four seasons with the Pontiac-based side.[1]
Professional
In 2009, Clark signed with USL-1 club Charleston Battery.
Europe
In November 2009 Steve Clark was offered a trial by Bradford City, but he eventually left due to inability to retain a UK work permit.
Clark trialed with Norwegian clubs Stabæk, and Hønefoss BK, eventually signing with the latter after arranging the trial by calling the club himself.[2][3] On March 11, 2011, Clark was named first-choice keeper for Hønefoss BK after beating out long-time starter Thomas Solvoll. Clark recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.51 seconds and recorded a vertical leap of 33 inches (86 centimeters).[4] Clark led Hønefoss BK to promotion out of the Adeccoligaen into the Tippeligaen recording the fewest goals against in the Adeccoligaen in 2011.
After the 2011 season, Clark signed a two-year contract extension with Hønefoss BK keeping him at the club until December 2013.[5] Clark began the 2012 Tippeligaen season widely unknown by the Norwegian press, but he was named to the Best XI of the 2012 Tippeligaen season by TV 2, the largest sports channel in Norway. In addition, he was named Hønefoss BK "Player of the Year" by Ringerikes Blad and "Supporters Player of the Year" by Fosseberget supporters section.
Major League Soccer
Clark was acquired by the Columbus Crew in a sign-and-trade deal with the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders received a 2015 MLS SuperDraft fourth-round selection in exchange for sending Clark's rights to Columbus.[6] Clark quickly earned the nod as starting keeper for Columbus and played every minute of all 34 league matches in 2014.
Career statistics
- As of 6 August 2016
| Season | Club | League | League | Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | GAA | SO | Apps | GAA | SO | Apps | SO | |||
| 2010 | Hønefoss BK | Tippeligaen | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Adeccoligaen | 30 | 0.93 | 12 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 32 | 12 | |
| 2012 | Tippeligaen | 30 | 1.40 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 9 | |
| 2013 | 30 | 1.50 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 5 | ||
| 2014 | Columbus Crew SC | Major League Soccer | 34 | 1.24 | 8 | 2 | 3.5 | 0 | 36 | 8 |
| 2015 | 34 | 1.56 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 6 | ||
| 2016 | 21 | 1.67 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 | ||
| Career Total | 183 | - | 44 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 44 | ||
External links
- Steve Clark at Soccerway
References
- ↑ "Former Buck Clark signs in Norway". February 11, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
- ↑ "Steve Clark Interview: From Camping to Keeping". 90:00 soccer. March 21, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ↑ "Clark Signs With Honefoss". January 30, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ↑ "Clark Named Starter at Honefoss". March 16, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Har forlenget med HBK". October 22, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.thecrew.com/news/2013/12/crew-acquires-goalkeeper-steve-clark-trade-seattle-sounders-fc