Ricardo Clark – USMNT

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.

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.