Goalkeeper Steve Clark is just one match away from starting 100 consecutive regular-season MLS games. With Thursday's match at the Chicago Fire looming, the milestone is well within reach.
“Steve has the will to succeed, and that’s what drives him,” Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter says. “He has that behind him in every training session and in every game.”
Since his debut with the Black & Gold in 2014, he has not missed an appearance between the posts for Columbus.
“Steve’s one of the originals—one of the guys who’s been through it since the beginning,” Berhalter says. “What we saw in him early on was his determination, his work ethic and his competitive spirit.
“And that hasn’t waned over the course of him being here. That’s what you like to see — a pro that continues to want to get better and continues to want to compete.”
He’s recorded 22 shutouts and 335 saves in 99 regular-season matches. Eight of those shutouts have come this year, tying him for third in MLS and his 110 saves in 2016 currently rank him in second across the League.
Clark’s stats are impressive, but he humbly credits the people surrounding him as he nears a career milestone.
“We have a great medical staff here that keeps me happy,” he says. “I try to take care of my body and I think good defenders have also helped me out. I’ve tried to be consistent in my time here and you can never underestimate coaches believing in you — which I believe I have that — so it’s been a good run so far.”
Coupled with the support of coaches, teammates, family, friends and fans, much of Clark’s competitive edge that translates to success comes from his love for the game.
“I think it’s important to enjoy every single game that I play,” he says. “For me, someone like myself, I just love the competition. I just absolutely love when that whistle blows, the opportunity for greatness and the opportunity to win the game. I definitely don’t take that part for granted and I definitely miss it when I’m not out there.”
Fortunately for Clark, the bye week is over, providing another upcoming opportunity to satiate his competitive hunger and eagerness to win with his team.
He and Berhalter have accumulated a 37-33-29 regular-season record over the course of their three years with Crew SC. Since Berhalter was appointed Sporting Director and Head Coach, Clark has been his go-to guy between the posts. And the goalkeeper from Mason, Michigan, shows no signs of letting off the gas.
Columbus is back in action on Thursday as they head to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire at 8:30 p.m. Catch the match at our official viewing party at Standard Hall presented by Budweiser.
