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Dynamo bring Clark back to Houston

Clark (Getty Images)

Ricardo Clark is returning to Houston. 

The former Dynamo standout central midfielder has re-signed with the club after trying his hand abroad, according to Houston's FOX affiliate, which reported the acquisition as a done deal on Thursday afternoon.

Because Clark left MLS on a free transfer and the Dynamo made him a bona fide offer before he left, Houston maintained his MLS rights, so he was not subjected to the league's allocation order upon his return. And because Clark's contract with Eintracht Frankfurt was terminated as of July 31 and he was a free agent, he was allowed to sign with the team outside of the transfer window.

Clark, 29, began his time with the San Jose Earthquakes/Dynamo franchise in 2005 after starting his MLS career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. He was a key cog in the Dynamo's MLS Cup championship teams in 2006 and 2007 and departed for Europe along with Stuart Holden prior to the Dynamo's forgettable 2010 season. 

Clark was a starter for the U.S. men's national team during the 2010 World Cup, but he struggled to secure regular playing time at Eintracht Frankfurt and was sent on loan to Stabaek in Norway this past February. With Geoff Cameron departing for Stoke City, Clark provides a well-qualified option to slide into his place in the midfield, where Cameron had shifted up to after starting the season at centerback.

In his return to the national team this past January, Clark scored the game-winning goal in the waning moments of the United States' 1-0 victory over Venezuela at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Depending on Clark's match fitness and when he is officially added to the Dynamo roster, his first game could come against his former team. The Dynamo play the Red Bulls on back-to-back Fridays, starting this Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium, where first place in the Eastern Conference is on the line.

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What do you think of this development? Do you think this move makes Houston the favorite to top the Eastern Conference?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Shock and awe. Shock and awe. MLS is no “dirtier” than the EPL as far as hard tackles, cheap elbows, tough defending, diving, etc. I mean think about De Jong, Mascherano (now in Spain), John Terry. All called “thugs” by many. It’s a man’s game, a contact sport. People get hurt. Not excusing it, but it happens worldwide, not just here. Sure, MLS players might have slightly worse timing and tackling skill than in other leagues, which equates to more mistimed challenges, but a hard tackle that gets all ball is milliseconds away from being a “dirty challenge”.

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  2. I hear ya, just continually frustrated at the inconsistent application of rules by the league. Clark (34 caps) and Rolfe (10 caps) were not subject to allocation order but this time last year Sammy Ochoa (zero senior caps, 2 U23 caps) had to go through it.

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  3. Finally I agree with someone!! This league is brutal and I am thankful they are tyring to clean it up but they have a l o n g way to go. Not pleasant to watch at all. But I still try to support as much as I am able to.

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  4. Thanks for losing us the World Cup in 2010, moron. I am shocked, SHOCKED, that your dirty tackles and poor passes led you back to the MLS.

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  5. I’m not 100% sure, but I think ACTIVE, INTEGRAL, CORE USMNT members (not including Clark or Rolfe) are the ones subject to allocation.

    That said, with the number of caps Rico had–even if they weren’t recent–you’d think he would be subject to allocation.

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  6. I suppose. No doubt Clark never got back to where he was in 2009. I just think the central story here is that Houston got a good player and Clark gets to play in a decent league again after getting marooned in Norway.

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  7. I don’t understand fans like you….everything is seen through rose-colored glasses. Neither life nor soccer work that way……

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  8. Rico did not make the mistake against England. That is just wrong. His job was to let the runner go. A defender was supposed to pick him up and failed to do so. This is beyond doubt.

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  9. He is perfect for MLS. Makes a lot of dumb decisions and is a hacker. This is 100% a hackers league. The stupid stuff he couldn’t get away with in intl play in European leagues will fit right in at hack a man MLS. Except for punching people outright even in MLS they frown on that or kicking a ball at someone. Tackles from behind and reckless tackles in general at par for the course thou.

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