PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Updated through September 14, 2019
2019 (Columbus): Ricardo Clark has made seven regular-season appearances (four starts as a central midfielder) in 2019. He made his 2019 Crew SC regular-season debut when he came in as a substitute for Artur in the 87th minute of a home match against FC Dallas (March 16). He made his first start of the 2019 regular-season during a road contest against the Philadelphia Union (March 23). He made substitute appearances in two consecutive home matches against Atlanta United (March 30) and the New England Revolution (April 6). He recorded his second start of the 2019 regular-season during a road contest against the Houston Dynamo (April 27). Clark returned to the starting lineup during a road contest against the Chicago Fire (July 17). He did not make an appearance in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
2018 (Columbus): Ricardo Clark made 13 regular-season appearances (eight starts as a central midfielder) in 2018, providing one goal and one assist. He made his Crew SC debut when came in as a substitute in the 90+5 minute in a home match against the Montreal Impact (March 10). He started his first match for Crew SC against D.C. United (March 24), and scored the game-winning goal. He did not make an appearance against the Chicago Fire (April 7) after being listed as out due to illness. Clark returned to the field in a home match against the San Jose Earthquakes (April 28) when he came in as a substitute for Artur in the 79th minute. The following week he started in a road match against Seattle Sounders FC (May 5). Clark started in a home match against the Chicago Fire (May 12), and he registered his first assist of the season. He returned to the starting lineup in consecutive home matches against Toronto FC (June 2) and the New York Red Bulls (June 9). Clark next made a substitute appearance in a home match against Real Salt Lake (June 30). Clark started in an international friendly at home against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa (July 3). He returned to the starting lineup in regular-season action in a road match against the LA Galaxy (July 7). His next start came in a road match against the Chicago Fire (August 23). He returned to the starting lineup again in a road match against FC Dallas (September 15). The following week, Clark made a substitute appearance in a home match against the Colorado Rapids (September 22), making his 350th MLS regular-season appearance. Clark was named to the Gameday 18 in a 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round home match against the Chicago Fire (June 6).
2017 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 28 regular-season appearances (26 starts), providing two assists. He made two MLS Cup Playoffs appearances (one start). He finished in second place in the Houston Dynamo’s list of all-time regular-season appearances (253), starts (242) and minutes played (22,180).
2016 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 32 regular-season appearances (29 starts), registering four goals and four assists. He passed Corey Ashe for second on the Houston Dynamo’s list of most regular-season appearances. Clark passed the 25,000 career MLS regular season minutes during a match against the San Jose Earthquakes (July 31). He made his 300th career MLS regular-season appearance in a road contest against the San Jose Earthquakes (August 19).
2015 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 30 regular-season appearances (29 starts) while tallying eight goals and one assist en route to being named the 2015 Dynamo Most Valuable Player and the Dynamo Players' Player of the Year.
2014 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 25 regular-season appearances (24 starts), registering four goals and four assists. He missed nine consecutive games after suffering a concussion.
2013 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 30 regular-season appearances (29 starts), while recording a career-high four goals and four assists. He was named the 2013 Dynamo Players' Player of the Year. Clark made four MLS Cup Playoffs appearances (all starts), registering one goal and one assist. He made two appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League. Clark made one appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
2012 (Houston Dynamo): Clark returned to the Houston Dynamo mid-season, making 11 regular-season appearances (eight starts) while scoring one goal. He made five appearances (all starts) in the MLS Cup Playoffs, helping the Dynamo return to MLS Cup. Clark made one appearance in a reserve league match against Sporting KC (August 14).
2009-2012 (Eintracht Frankfurt/Stabaek): Clark joined Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany’s Bundesliga in 2009 and made 16 appearances (13 starts) for the club. He spent the first part of the 2012 season on loan with Stabaek of Norway’s topflight, making 17 appearances (all starts) and scoring one goal.
2009 (Houston Dynamo): Made 22 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring one goal and tallying one assist. Made three MLS Cup Playoffs appearances (all starts). Made 10 appearances (nine starts) in the CONCACAF Champions League.
2008 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 25 regular-season appearances (all starts), registering two goals and one assist. He wore the captain's armband for the first time in a contest against the New England Revolution (June 12). Clark made two appearances (both starts) in the MLS Cup Playoffs. He made four appearances (all starts) in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, playing every minute. Clark made five appearances (all starts) in the SuperLiga, playing every minute.
2007 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 19 regular-season appearances (18 stars), scoring two goals and notching three assists despite missing a month while competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONMEBOL Copa America with the U.S. Men’s National Team. He was named to the 2007 MLS All-Star roster. Made five appearances (four starts) in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. Clark made one appearance in a reserve league match against the LA Galaxy (October 7).
2006 (Houston Dynamo): Clark made 31 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring two goals and providing three assists while being named to the 2006 MLS All-Star Roster and the MLS 2006 Best XI. He made three MLS Cup Playoffs appearances (all starts) providing one assist en route to helping the Dynamo win the 2006 MLS Cup. Clark made two appearances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
2005 (San Jose Earthquakes): Clark made 30 regular-season appearances (28) for the San Jose Earthquakes, recording three goals and two assists. He was named MLS Player of The Month and San Jose Earthquakes Player Of The Month (July). Made two appearances (both starts) in the MLS Cup Playoffs, scoring his first MLS Cup Playoffs goal in a road contest against the LA Galaxy (October 23). He appeared in one reserve league match against Sporting Kansas City (April 24).
2004 (New York MetroStars): Clark played made 26 regular-season appearances (19 starts) for the MetroStars, while scoring one goal and registering one assist. He made his season debut against the New England Revolution (April 25). He made two appearances (two starts) against in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
2003 (New York MetroStars): Clark was drafted by the MetroStars in the first round (second overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. He made 28 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring three goals and registering one assist. He made his MLS debut against Columbus Crew SC (March 12). Clark scored his first career MLS goal against the Chicago Fire (June 28). He set a New York MetroStars rookie record by starting in 27 consecutive games. Clark was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award. Made two appearances (both starts) in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Made four appearances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
INTERNATIONAL
Ricardo Clark has earned 34 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring three goals. United States international (34 caps, 3 goals). The midfielder made his debut for the U.S. as a substitute in a World Cup Qualifier against Panama on October 12, 2005. Clark participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2007 Copa America and the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, winning the Gold Cup that year. At the youth level, he played five games for the U.S. Under-20 squad at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships, helping the team reach the quarterfinals. He was also a member of the U-23 national team in 2004.
COLLEGE
Clark played two years at Furman University, from 2000-2001, scoring three goals and registering four assists. During his time at Furman University, he helped the team win two South Conference titles (2000, 2001). In 2002, he was named to the First Team NSCAA All-American, the First Team College Soccer News All-American and the All-Southern Conference First Team.
YOUTH EXPERIENCE
Clark helped lead AFC Lightning of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy to two state titles and a third-place finish in 1999. In 2000, he won the Most Valuable Player Award at the 2000 Adidas Elite Soccer Program Camp. Clark attended St. Pius X Catholic High School and led the club to state titles in 2000 and 2001. During his time at St. Pius X, Clark was selected as Georgia State Player of the Year in 2000 and 2001. He was also named to the 2001 Parade Magazine All-American Team.
PERSONAL
Clark is the son of Lancelot and Norma and has a brother named Richonne. His father played soccer at Polytechnic University (New York) and his brother played at Clayton State. Clark is married to his wife Martha. He is an Atlanta sports enthusiast who supports the Braves and the Falcons. Growing up, Clark played basketball. He lists England as his favorite country to play in. Pele is his favorite soccer player. Clark admires golfer Tiger Woods. He enjoys listening to hip hop and reggae music, and his favorite musical artists include Outkast, TI, and Bob Marley.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC signed free agent midfielder Ricardo Clark on February 21, 2018.
Name: Ricardo Clark
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 165
Born: February 10, 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia
Hometown: Atanta, Georgia
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed as a free agent by Crew SC on February 21, 2018
Previous Experience: Houston Dynamo (2012-2017), Stabaek (2012), Eintracht Frankfurt (2009-2012), Houston Dynamo (2006-2009), San Jose Earthquakes (2005), New York MetroStars (2003-2004)
