Midfielder
Ricardo Clark
5' 10"
Biography of USMNT soccer player Ricardo Clark who played in the 2010 World Cup and the MLS Cup with the Houston Dynamo.
Caps: 34 | Goals: 3
A defensive midfielder, Ricardo Clark left college early to start his professional career with the MetroStars, winning a starting job and showing the kind of athleticism that would become his trademark. In 2005 he moved to the San Jose Earthquakes, the same year he won his first senior USMNT cap. He stayed with the franchise as it moved to Houston, winning two MLS Cups.
In 2007 he came on at half-time for the USMNT in the Gold Cup final with his country 1-0 down. Clark helped turn the game around into a 2-1 victory. He also started all three games for the US in the 0-3 Copa America whitewash. His club season turned sour when he incurred a nine-game ban for kicking FC Dallas striker Carlos Ruiz as he lay on the ground, causing him to miss the entire playoff campaign and the Dynamo’s repeat MLS Cup success.
Clark joined Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2010. He returned to Houston midway through the 2012 season before moving to Columbus as a free agent for 2018. Clark retired following the 2019 season. He is currently the head coach of Vancouver Whitecaps II.
Credit: Howard C Smith – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2012
Subbed on against Venezuela on Jan 21st and scored in stoppage time for the 1-0 win. Started against Panama on Jan 25th.
2010
Named to the World Cup roster. Started against England and Ghana.
2009
Played in the 3-2 win over Sweden on January 24th and came on as a substitute in the Feb 11th Qualifier against Mexico. Started against Honduras on June 6th. Part of the Confederations Cup and Gold Cup squad. Started against Mexico on Aug 12th. Scored the game's only goal in the World Cup Qualifying win at Trinidad & Tobago in September. Started against Denmark on Nov 18th.
2008
Called into January training camp, played full 90 against Sweden. Started 2-2 exhibition tie against Mexico in Houston, February 6.
2007
Gold Cup winner, making four appearances (one start), including the whole of the second half against Mexico in the final. Made three starts at the Copa America, and scored the sole US goal in 3-1 defeat by Paraguay.
2005
Earned his first cap against Panama on Oct. 12th.
2003
Part of the World Youth Championships squad.
Professional Experience
2020
Joined Houston on a one-day contract on Feb 12 so he could officially retire as a member of the Dynamo.
2019
Finished 10th in the East.
2018
Joined Columbus as a free agent advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
2017
Made the semifinals of the MLS Cup playoffs in his last season in Houston.
2016
Missed the playoffs with Houston.
2015
Missed the playoffs with Houston.
2014
Missed the playoffs with Houston.
2013
Made 29 starts for Houston and played in 30 games making the semifinal round of the playoffs.
2012
Played in 11 games for Houston, who finished runners-up in the MLS Cup.
2011-12
Joined Norway's Stabaek on loan in February, 2012. Returned to MLS in the summer of 2012.
2010-11
Signed with German club Eintracht Frankfurt.
2009
Played in 22 games and scored once.
2008
25 appearances, two goals, and two assists for the Dynamo.
2007
Played 19 times (18 starts), scoring two goals and registering three assists.
2006
Wins the MLS Cup with Houston.
2005
Traded to San Jose, where he is a regular starter.
2004
A regular with the Metrostars.
2003
Leaves Furman to sign with MLS and is drafted by the Metrostars. A finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Youth and College
Played his college soccer for Furman.
