After trading Justin Meram to Orlando City, Columbus Crew SC turned to free agent, MLS veteran Ricardo Clark to fill the void. The 34-year old two-time MLS All-Star last played for Houston Dynamo.
🚨 NEWS: #CrewSC has signed free agent midfielder Ricardo Clark. Welcome to Columbus, @RicoC13!
📰 https://t.co/9k4Fe5iSLC pic.twitter.com/izD1mqjDAf
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) February 2, 2018
“We are excited Ricardo chose to join our club as a free agent signing this winter,” – said Crew coach Gregg Berhalter about their newest acquisition. “Ricardo brings over a decade of MLS and national team experience to our club, which was one of the youngest in the league last season. He is a consistent winner in MLS and adds important depth in our central midfield as we look to return to the MLS Cup playoffs in the upcoming season.“
Ricardo Clark started his professional career with the MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) who took him with the second overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. After two seasons with MetroStars, Clark briefly played for San Jose Earthquakes before joining Houston Dynamo in 2006. He then decided to try his luck in Europe in 2010, spending two years with Eintracht Frankfurt before returning to Dynamo in 2012. From then to 2017, Clark played in 158 games for the team and scored 21 goals, but the Dynamo declined to extend his contract.
“I’m hungry.” – said, Clark, when talking about his expectations. “Based on last year, it seems that the group is as well. We just want to be successful and that’s the most important thing. It’s not going to be an easy challenge, but I’m ready for it and I think the guys are as well. I’m just looking forward to gelling with the team and help out in whatever capacity it may be. Like I said, I just want to win.“
He was also a member of the USMNT from 2015 to 2012, playing 34 games for the team and scoring 3 goals in the process.
