Ricardo Clark was a key contributor in the U.S. national team's surprising run to the Confederations Cup final last summer, and while he looks certain to return to South Africa for the World Cup, his place in the starting eleven is anything but guaranteed.
Clark enters the U.S. pre-World Cup camp battling with a number of other players for the spot next to Michael Bradley at central midfield. Players like Jose Francisco Torres, Benny Feilhaber, Sacha Kljestan and Maurice Edu all pose a threat to the position, but Clark is prepared for the competition.
"I'm used to it. I've been doing this since I was eight years old," said Clark. "Just got to do your thing on the field and hopefully it works out for you."
Persevering is a trait Clark has shown is one of his strengths over recent years. After initially being omitted from the roster for World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, the former Houston Dynamo player found his way onto the team after Edu suffered a late injury with Rangers FC. Clark took advantage of the opportunity, earning a starting role in the majority of the summer matches, including the historic 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals.
Forcing his way into the starting lineup is also something Clark accomplished at the club level. After leaving MLS as a free agent last winter, Clark signed with German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. He looked poised to break into the starting eleven shortly after arriving, but like many Americans this year, Clark suffered an injury - a calf strain that delayed his European debut.
"It was frustrating, especially going into a new team without knowing what the future would hold," Clark said. "I only had a six-month contract so if I played well the team would extend my contract. Thankfully, I grinded it out and stayed positive and in the end it worked out."
After recovering from the calf strain, Clark showed enough in training to warrant three consecutive starts for Eintracht to close out its season. His performances in those matches drew positive reviews, and they earned him a three-year extension with the club, an extension Clark signed due to wanting to continue to test himself in a better league with a more professionalism atmosphere.
"I think it's just the overall mentality. It's a very rigorous mentality," said Clark. "Their trainings are very, very strict in their play on and off the field. It's just a more professional environment than MLS."
That environment is what Clark hopes will help him regain the starting role he flourished in for the United States last summer.
"I feel ready, I have the mentality that I'm always going to be ready," said Clark. "I played the last three games of the season, played full 90 minutes and felt fit so I think I'll be good for this camp."
One simple answer is MONEY.
MONEY means bigger squads, better players, better and more numerous coaches. From there it’s obvious the bar is now a whole lot higher. You can figure out all the rest from there.
Are you a U.S. supporter? if you call all our recent success luck, then you should find some Mexican site to degrade our team and its performance on the field.
Question.
Why are you biased against Michael Bradley, just because his dad is the coach? He is one of our best players and should be a starter for many years to come.
100% agree, anyone who says Michael Bradley doesn’t deserve a starting spot is biased against him for some reason or has not seen many national team games
“Going down a man in one game is all it may take to get the boot early.
Correct. We can’t expect the same miracle as the Conf. Cup last year. Yeah, the competition was huge in our group, but reds in the first 2 matches will KILL any chances of moving on in the WC.
what if he is wearing the captains armband?
I don’t think Clark only provides that “defensive effort.” He’s always been a guy with a loaded gun, and when he fires from long range there is always a good chance it’s hitting the frame.
Question.
How long after Bob Bradley leaves does it take for Bradley Jr. to be subbed out/not started?
HEY! isn’t this depth in the midfield GREAT?! there are a lot of comments on this article, because we have this battle between Clark and Edu with a great player in Bradley as an almost ‘lock.’ All three of these guys put a smile on my face, plus I am excited when Torres and Feilhaber’s numbers get put up on the board in green too!
I support an “almost” automatic spot for Bradley, in theory. I think he has been not only a solid player, but I agree with Ive’s (i believe) article on his possibility as a possible future MNT captain. It seems like he does a great job as the middle of the park navigator type role. When Ives (and again, im only somewhat certain it was his article) comments on his “leadership” skills, I can only be more confident in believing that him as a rock in midfield is something we shouldn’t take away. anyone agree?
In my view, you have to take the quality of the league into considertaion as well as the grading a player recieves from the respective press in the league.
That said, although Feihlhaber is a good player, he was “relagated” from the BL to the Danish Super League (an MLS quality team); whereas Clark has enjoyed three solid outings and a new contract. Clark is clearly competing with Edu and Sasha has no place on the USA Mannschafft!
Why are so many people saying that you want Clark against England so we can clog up the midfield? I think if we bunker down against England and just wait to counter, they will get everyone up by our goal and kill us. I say put an attacking midfielder in there with Bradley and go for England’s throat from the opening whistle. It’ll stop Cole from bombing up the flanks and whipping balls in etc, etc, etc. Get a goal up on them and then park the bus.
I agree..he’s more like a 45-50 player haha
+1 well done sir.
This is Edu’s spot but Clark and Edu embody the fortitude that has been the overall personality of the USMNT in years past. Hard work, toughness and a willingness to compete and improve. I do take exception that Sacha stands in anyones way on this team.
Timmy played a ridiculous game, and so did the back line blocking shots and sacrificing their bodies left and right. I definitely wouldn’t say anybody was lazy or complacent.
With all the chances they had, we were incredibly fortunate not to concede. But that doesn’t mean the tactics were poor.
The imbalance of talent meant bbradley needed a good gameplan, our guys needed to play the best game of their lives, AND we had to get extremely lucky.
There’s no shame in saying that.
Your last few lines pretty much sum it all up–they all bring good things to the table, things that we’ll consistently need from our central midfield in order to manufacture goals. Rico is more of a threat with those long range shots, while Mo Edu gives you a little more composure on the ball.
Eh??? I’m taking the point too far?
I know we’re splitting hairs here, but YOU’re the one talking about strictness when Rico only mentioned professionalism.
Professionalism can also just mean that expectations are clear and there are consequences when they are not fulfilled (much like you hear about in Italy and England).
I agree with your point, but I think you’re going on a tangent that was non-existent vis a vis Clarke’s comment.
But to go with your flow— there was a really interesting interview of Sami Khedira (Ballack’s ersatz) that I watched on youtube.
Stuttgart players –from the youth level on up, have to follow an EXTREME code of conduct that is in their player contracts.
For example, the players MUST greet any and all visitors and workers.
I thought that was fascinating.
I can see how that type of discipline can have an impact on a player’s growth as a professional.
I think Edu is more offensive minded than Clark. Edu has a cracking shot. Clark may strike the ball from distance but I don’t recall a whole lot of them being on frame.
Yep. Based on Bradley’s previous choices in big matchups…this is spot on. Edu had the job and got hurt. Clark filled in well during Edu’s long absense. Edu is back.
My pick is Edu by a nose.
Rico seemed to imply more discipline in areas such as diet. I imagine they have a fair amount of team meals, nutritionists, etc. I just don’t think MLS is there budget wise to provide that type of expertise to the players. I know some of the lowest paid players in MLS need another job during offseason.
That and when half the team makes what you make as an assistant manager at Kinko’s, I imagine it’s tough to be a strict disciplinarian.
With comments like that …your name seems quite appropriate.
ridiculous statement. The reason we get on our players for the reds is because its always the usual suspects: Mastroeni, Bradley, & Clark who are always making stupid tackles in big games. I guarantee you that both Clark and Bradley get reds in this tournament. Going down a man in one game is all it may take to get the boot early.
As for your statement that Europeans move on…. that is simply laughable.
ATLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!! “put your peace sign upside down and understand what I rep when i come to your town!” Look, i agree: Edu is better (I see RC as a supersub especially after improving in the Bundesliga), but man, Clark is a hometown hero in the A and does a lot of great work with “Soccer in the Streets”. Big ups, Rico!
I hope Clark plays well, but Edu all the way. He doesn’t make stupid tackles, he’s strong defensively, cool headed, smart, and makes good passes. From there, Feilhaber and Torres should be offensive options and Clark should be the defensive reinforcement. You can’t start with your most defensive players and have no replacement, it’s just not intelligent soccer.
Even after the red versus Italy, we were up 1-0 at half.
Yes, we had a bad half against Italy, but were actually pretty solid in the first half playing 10v11.
How long ago was that? 1 yr ago for those I mentioned and…2-3 yrs for Edu. Hmmm, maybe we can see if he got carded in college if you’d like…
Can we please keep saying THE MLS and Goalie. I’m fine with it, but it really burns a lot of people out there….. I always get a chuckle when people flip out about those 2 things on here.
No i think you are taking rico’s comment a little too far. The german national team, bundesliga and society in general is well know for being extremely rigid and based on discipline. Had rico ever played in italy or england and the question arose i highly doubt it would have been any different. I believe there is a reason that only our higher work rate players play consistently in Germany. I don’t think altidore would get away with relaxed training sessions in a German society like he does in england.
the first sentence (i.e. my statement about getting a red card and getting suspended for the enxt game) is a statement about Clark. HIS Challenge was reckless. I clearly state that the red on Michael Bradley was BS. I also clearly state that I am a huge fan of Bradley. My criticism is directed to Rico, not to MB.
Clark’s strike against TNT was impressive for sure, but don’t forget that just as that was happening he was about to get subbed off because we looked terrible going forward up to that point. Not that you can put that all on Rico, but he was certainly a part of it. Don’t get me wrong, in the right situation I really like Clark, but his strengths are definitely on the defensive side. He covers a ton of ground, breaks up passing lanes, can make the simple pass to keep things moving and yes, occasionally crack a shot from distance.
In regards to Edu, what you get is a slightly less athletic *(although he’s no slouch), much more disciplined player with much, much better skill on the ball. So who the better player is really depends on what you need in a given situation. If you’re going strictly defensive, park the bus – Clark is your guy hands down. If you need to remain solid defensively but add some passing ability and composure, Edu would be the man.
In the end there’s room for both guys, and I’m pretty sure we’ll see both get significant time in South Africa.
I think that so long as Bradley is our best central midfielder, and he probably will be for a while, we will need another two-way central midfielder in order for us to reach our full potential. You have to have the appropriate amount of ability to win possession and keep/use possession in your central midfielders to win the game. Bradley is the perfect example of this; He contributed an excellent defensive game against Spain, save for the red card, but he also had a pass to Davies on the first goal and a pass to Feilhaber on the second that started the sequences leading to both of the USA’s tallies that game. While Clark was a huge part of the defensive effort that game, better passing and ball movement on his part would definitely have lightened the pressure on the USA’s defense. Edu on the other hand gives you the exact same athleticism with a high soccer IQ, composure, fluid dribbling, sharp distribution, and a good passing eye. Against South Africa, Edu sprung Cherundolo with a hell of a through ball for the only goal of the game that Stevie C finished. Against Switzerland, Edu had another solid effort, and even contributed to the goal, finding Danny Szetela on the right. Edu also seems to have been given freedom to contribute on both sides of the ball by Rangers, with his second goal of the season showing his ability to make runs out of the midfield. I would give the edge to Edu.
That being said, Clark is improving every day, and time in Germany, and maybe even in South Africa can only help. Clark’s sharp through ball for Donovan on the second goal against Brazil was something that Benny Feilhaber, his central midfield partner on the day, was expected to be doing(although he probably could have) and his strike against Trinidad and Tobago shows not only his striking technique, but his willingness to get forward at times. One thing is for sure: the future in central midfield is looking bright, and both of those guys have incredible potential.
Some of us are second guessing the way we played against spain. They had so many shots and good chances in the second half when we backed off offensively, that if it hadn’t been for tim howard having an amazing game we would have lost.
I am not saying it is bob bradley’s fault. I don’t know what he does or doesn’t tell the players to do. It could be more of the mentality of the players than the coach. It is easy to become complacent and lazy when you are up 2-0, and it only takes a few moments of that to give a team like brazil or spain time to get into a rythm. Once they get into that rythm it is extremely hard to reverse it especially considering their profesionalism and the fact that they won’t take their foot off the gas like we did.
All that and the fact that MLS teams probably have to focus on more basic stuff — more unfocused scrimmage time just because the players need it more. Hard to focus on more advanced skills and tactics when the basics aren’t there.
Benny had a terrible season and ended up in the bench coming as a sub. i wouldn’t be surprise if he doesn’t make the final 23.
So you’re just assuming Edu wouldn’t have gotten a red card? He’s been red carded in the MLS before you know that right?
b/c the competition for places doesn’t exist in MLS and neither does the high stakes atmosphere of a top level sports league. You can as a coach ‘demand’ more professionalism and intensity all you want, but the consequences have to be there to motivate the players.
Thank you, glad someone saw like it was, now, if the writer would have said “defended well in the midfield” I would agree.
Who says that there isn’t a battle for Bradley’s spot? Bob never did. WE are assuming that. We may be wrong.
Although, I love Michael Bradley and think he merits a pretty solid spot in the midfield.
“Was there really any difference in approach between brazil 2.0 and spain in the semi?”
luck
Because Bradley is the coaches son and plays in the Bundesliga. Bradley is too turn over prone IMO.
Rico kept possession more than Bradley. So, I think that problem lies more with Bradley. Rico is good at keeping play simple and moving the ball to more offensive players. He’s just a foul mongerer.
You raise good points. Yes, I think Edu does have that ability.
At the same time, I think Edu’s at a disadvantage because the Scottish League is just so weak.
When Stuttgart played Rangers last year it was clear that the Scottish League has really lost a lot of ground in terms of competitiveness over the years.
Everyone should keep in mind that Frankfurt was doing ridiculously well when Clarke came in. No coach in his right mind would have made any changes for fear of disrupting the chemistry. At the same time Skibbe repeatedly mentioned that he was impressed by Clarke in training. He didn’t have to repeatedly praise Clarke to the media. He did, though. I give Clarke the edge.
Given Bradley and Clark’s penchant for card accumulation (and all DM/CM’s for that matter as cards come with the position if you’re aggressive) odds are at some point in the tournament Clark will start and Edu will start. The debate need not rage on over who is better.
I know…kind of embarrassing…
Do you really think he’d say anything different about England or Italy?
I think you’re missing the point.
yeah – Spains midfield only brought (to carry on your weapons metaphor) box cutters to their game. That’s why Xavi and company were handled by Clark and his “M9 pistols”. I personally rate Spains midfield ahead of what England has. And he was acutally still in MLS at the time. He had not even “warmed” a Bundesliga bench (he was injurred)and subsequently played all 270 minutes available once match fit in the 3rd best league in the world (it’s moved ahead of Italy).
“He got ejected in one game and then suspended for the next. Regardless of how well he played (and I will admit that he had his moments), i think he has to be evaluated in light of his red card, which was for a reckless challenge. ”
First of all the red card he got in the Spain game was about as soft as a Victoria Secret negligee.
In the second place you only hear this kind of criticism from USMNT fans. The kid made a mistake and got caught. He was 21-22 at the time. Midfielders periodically get red cards especially if they are as aggressive as Bradley. In other countries they accept this and move on. For USMNT fans it’s as if Bradley was suddenly revealed to be an axe murderer; the stain will never leave him even if he doesn’t get a card for the rest of his career.
I agree with the guys above. Not that I put that much stock in them, but Bradley consistently gets 4’s and 5’s in Bild’s post-game player rating while Clark got 3’s in nearly every game.
If you watched the last 3 games of the season, I’d wager anyone would say that Clark was the better player.
Of course, I’d give Junior a bit of a bump because there is something to be said for keeping the spine of a team as intact as possible.