ROOKIES
- 3/7: Evan Newton
- 3/8: Alex Dixon
- 3/9: Josue Soto
- 3/10: Will Bruin
- 3/11: Kofi Sarkodie
NEWCOMERS
- 3/14: Jordan Graye
- 3/15: Jason Garey
- 3/16: Colin Clark
- 3/17: Hunter Freeman
- 3/18: Jermaine Taylor
As the 2011 season draws closer, HoustonDynamo.com will introduce you to the newest members of the Dynamo roster. With 10 players who have yet to play a game for the Dynamo, the squad will feature a new look in 2011.
This week we look at five players who the Dynamo either traded for or signed and have yet to represent the team. Today’s featured player is Colin Clark.
Clark is actually a returning player from last year, but since he has yet to be available for selection due to injury, he’s included with the newcomers. Acquired in a deadline deal for Brian Mullan, Clark is expected to contend for a starting spot as an outside midfielder when healthy.
Tricky, technical, and left-footed, Clark played collegiate soccer at SMU before signing with MLS. He played well enough in his first four seasons in Colorado to earn a call-up to the United States national team for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup but has recently had to deal with two separate torn ACLs. Clark returned to Dynamo training this week and hopes to be available in April.
Colin Clark player bio
MEET COLIN CLARK
HD.com: Tell us a little bit about your soccer background.
Colin: Yeah, I grew up playing in Fort Collins. Once I turned 15, I started
commuting to the Colorado Rush down in Denver.
From there, I got a scholarship to play at SMU. After three years I left and
joined the Colorado Rapids, and last year I was traded down to Houston.
HD.com: Your family owned a soccer store at one point – how
did that impact your career?
Colin: We owned a soccer store in Fort Collins for about four years, the last
two years I was in college and the first two I was in MLS. It was great because
I didn’t have to buy shoes anymore, and I ended up being sponsored by a couple
of brands that my parents carried in the store.
HD.com: What is your earliest soccer memory?
Colin: I was actually talking to my parents about this last
weekend. My earliest soccer memory is growing up, because I would wake up to
Michael Bolton music that my parents would play. I would go down and have
breakfast – eggs and oatmeal – and then we’d go out Saturday morning to a game.
HD.com: What was your most memorable soccer moment prior to
joining the Dynamo?
Colin: This is tough. I think when I was 16, in a regional
semifinal in Arizona,
I scored a goal from the right side of midfield from 40 yards out, and before
the ball was in the goal I was actually celebrating on the other side of the
field, screaming.
5 minutes with ... Colin Clark
HD.com: You got your first cap for the United States
in 2009. Tell us a bit about that experience and what that felt like?
Colin: It was definitely something special to be called in
to represent your country. I got to experience the whole Gold Cup and got my
first cap against Haiti.
There was a teammate of mine at the time, Fabrice Noel, who played for the
Haitian national team, and I got to play against him. It’s a great honor to
represent your country.
HD.com: Who were some soccer players you looked up to
growing up and why?
Colin: Ryan Giggs, because he plays my position – left midfielder
– and he’s very special at that.
HD.com: What have been your early impressions of Houston since first
coming here in October?
Colin: It’s a great group of guys and a fantastic coaching
staff. I think everybody’s driven to change the results from last year and have
a great season this year.
HD.com: What’s been the toughest part of coming back from
injury as you’ve had to?
Colin: This second one has been a little bit longer, but
nothing too tough. It’s just mentally being prepared, and now getting fit is
getting difficult.
