Caden Clark
{{short description|American soccer player (born 2003)}}
{{Distinguish|text=American basketball player Caitlin Clark}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Caden Clark
| image =
| full_name = Caden Christopher Clark{{cite web|url=https://mcusercontent.com/78d3589fb61466b549ff752e5/files/41732c7a-5319-fd6c-8648-65e8e1b78706/Group_B.pdf|title=National Team Roster 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup|work=CONCACAF}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|5|27}}
| birth_place = Medina, Minnesota, United States
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}{{cite web |title=Caden Clark |url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/first-team/team/caden-christopher-clark/ |access-date=May 5, 2023 |publisher=RB Leipzig}}
| currentclub = CF Montréal
| clubnumber = 23
| position = Attacking midfielder, winger
| youthyears1 = 2015–2017
| youthclubs1 = Minnesota Thunder
| youthyears2 = 2017–2020
| youthclubs2 = Barça Residency Academy
| years1 = 2020
| clubs1 = New York Red Bulls II
| caps1 = 12
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2020–2021
| clubs2 = New York Red Bulls
| caps2 = 15
| goals2 = 6
| years3 = 2021–2023
| clubs3 = RB Leipzig
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2021–2022
| clubs4 = → New York Red Bulls (loan)
| caps4 = 32
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2022
| clubs5 = → New York Red Bulls II (loan)
| caps5 = 5
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2023
| clubs6 = → Vendsyssel (loan)
| caps6 = 2
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2024
| clubs7 = Minnesota United
| caps7 = 23
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2024
| clubs8 = → Minnesota United 2 (loan)
| caps8 = 1
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2024–
| clubs9 = CF Montréal
| caps9 = 11
| goals9 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2021–2022
| nationalteam1 = United States U20
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| nationalyears2 = 2025–
| nationalteam2 = United States
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = March 1, 2025
| nationalteam-update = January 22, 2025
}}
Caden Christopher Clark (born May 27, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Major League Soccer club CF Montréal and the United States national team.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Medina, Minnesota, Clark began his career with the youth setup of Minnesota Thunder in 2015. He also played for the FC Barcelona-sponsored Barça Residency Academy in Arizona.{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/1861812/caden-clark-third-barca-academy-player-in-mls |title=Caden Clark, third Barça Academy player in MLS |work=FC Barcelona |date=October 14, 2020 |accessdate=February 10, 2022}} Clark went on a brief trial with Minnesota United in 2019, getting to know several players as well as then-head coach Adrian Heath.{{cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/new-york-red-bulls-caden-clark-close-ties-minnesota-united-and-his-home-state-mls/600155301/|title=New York Red Bulls' Caden Clark retains close ties to Minnesota United and his home state|first=Jerry|last=Zgoda|date=March 11, 2022|access-date=November 12, 2022|work=Star Tribune}}
= New York Red Bulls II =
In February 2020, Clark was signed by USL Championship club New York Red Bulls II.{{cite web|title=New York Red Bulls II Sign Midfielder Caden Clark|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2020/02/05/new-york-red-bulls-ii-sign-midfielder-caden-clark|date=February 5, 2020|work=New York Red Bulls}} He made his league debut for the club on July 17, 2020, against Hartford Athletic{{cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1113825|title=GAMEDAY REPORT: Hartford Edges Past Red Bulls II for Victory|date=July 17, 2020|first=Nicholas|last=Murray|work=USL Championship}} and scored his first goal on August 29, 2020, against Loudoun United FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/match-recap-nyrb-ii-grab-win-road-against-loudoun-united-fc|title=Match Recap: NYRB II Grab Win on the Road Against Loudoun United FC|date=August 29, 2020|work=New York Red Bulls}}
=New York Red Bulls =
On October 10, 2020, New York Red Bulls acquired his MLS rights from Minnesota United in exchange for $75,000 of General Allocation Money, and he was signed to New York's first team roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/caden-clark-signed-new-york-red-bulls-after-mls-rights-acquired-minnesota-united|title=Caden Clark signed by New York Red Bulls after MLS rights acquired from Minnesota United|work=Major League Soccer|date=October 10, 2020|first=Jonathan|last=Sigal}} Clark made his debut for New York Red Bulls and scored against Atlanta United on October 10, 2020, during a 1–0 win for the club,{{cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-clark-just-17-has-smashing-mls-debut-for-new-york/572772721/|title=Minnesota's Caden Clark, just 17, has smashing MLS debut for New York|first=Jerry|last=Zgoda|date=October 17, 2020|work=Star Tribune}} becoming the fifth youngest player to score in MLS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/red-bulls-caden-clark-confirming-place-in-young-goalscoring-history-mls-week-5-n|title=Red Bulls' Caden Clark Confirming Place in Young Goalscoring History: MLS Week 5 News and Notes|date=May 12, 2021|work=Major League Soccer}} He followed up with a game tying goal from outside the box in his second appearance for the Red Bulls, after he entered the game as a sub in the second half and secured a point for the Red Bulls against Toronto FC on October 14, 2020, becoming the youngest player to score in his first two MLS games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/all-the-important-moments-for-caden-clark-with-rbny-so-far|title=All The Important Moments for Caden Clark with RBNY (So Far)|date=June 24, 2021|work=New York Red Bulls}} On December 21, 2020, Clark was named New York Red Bulls Newcomer of the Year for the 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/new-york-red-bulls-announce-2020-team-awards|title=New York Red Bulls Announce 2020 Team Awards|website=newyorkredbulls.com|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2022}}
Clark underwent an appendectomy in June 2021, causing him to miss a month of action.{{Cite web|url=https://sbisoccer.com/2021/06/red-bulls-standout-and-usmnt-prospect-caden-clark-sidelined-after-appendectomy|title=Red Bulls standout and USMNT prospect Caden Clark sidelined after appendectomy|date=June 23, 2021|first=Cameron|last=Albert|work=SBI Soccer}} He ended his first full season with New York scoring 4 goals in 24 league matches.
=RB Leipzig=
On June 24, 2021, it was announced that Clark would move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, but would remain with New York on loan until the conclusion of the 2021 MLS season.{{cite web|title=RB Leipzig sign US midfielder Caden Clark from New York Red Bulls|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/rb-leipzig-sign-usa-midfielder-caden-clark-from-new-york-red-bulls-16346|date=June 24, 2021|work=Bundesliga}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/new-york-red-bulls-transfer-caden-clark-to-rb-leipzig|date=June 24, 2021|title=New York Red Bulls Transfer Caden Clark to RB Leipzig|work=New York Red Bulls}}
==Loan return to New York Red Bulls==
On February 9, 2022, he returned to the Red Bulls for the 2022 MLS season, with an option to extend the loan.{{Cite web|last=Butler|first=Dylan|date=February 9, 2022|title=Caden Clark returns to New York Red Bulls on loan from Leipzig|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/caden-clark-returns-to-new-york-red-bulls-on-season-long-loan-from-leipzig|access-date=February 9, 2022|publisher=Major League Soccer}} Clark scored his first goal of the season on August 27, 2022, in a 3–1 victory against Inter Miami.{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/match-recap-pres-by-provident-bank-red-bulls-notch-home-victory-vs-inter-miami-c|website=newyorkredbulls.com|title=Red Bulls Notch Home Victory vs. Inter Miami CF|accessdate=2022-08-27}}
==Loan to Vendsyssel FF==
On September 1, 2023 it was confirmed, that Clark had been loaned out to Danish 1st Division side Vendsyssel FF for the rest of 2023.[https://vendsysselff.dk/vendsyssel-ff-lejer-caden-clark/?fbclid=IwAR0jlg8KfBa7wgjOex8VrtenvHtXuuC2jdJegjAKnRTqNCuxojS8Ld_9xPk VENDSYSSEL FF LEJER CADEN CLARK], vendsysselff.dk, 1 September 2023
=Minnesota United=
On September 7, 2023, it was announced that Minnesota United had signed Clark from 1 January 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.mnufc.com/news/minnesota-united-acquires-midfielder-caden-clark|title=Minnesota United Acquires Midfielder Caden Clark|publisher=mnufc.com|access-date=11 October 2023}}
=CF Montréal=
On August 8, 2024, Clark was traded to CF Montréal in exchange for $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money and a second-round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/cf-montreal-acquire-caden-clark-from-minnesota-united|title=CF Montréal acquire Caden Clark from Minnesota United | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}
Personal life
Clark is of distant Austro-Hungarian descent through his mother.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/how-caden-clark-climbed-so-far-so-fast-new-york-red-bulls-charles-boehm|title=How Caden Clark climbed so far, so fast with the New York Red Bulls | Charles Boehm | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|December 1, 2024}}{{soccerway|caden-clark/578894}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |Playoffs ! colspan="2" |National cup ! colspan="2" |Continental ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls II
|2020 |USL |12 | 3 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 3 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|New York Red Bulls
|2020 |rowspan=2|MLS |7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 8 | 3 | ||||
| 2021
|8 | 4 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 8 | 4 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!15 | 6 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 16 | 7 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|RB Leipzig
|rowspan=2|Bundesliga |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2022–23
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|New York Red Bulls (loan)
|2021 |rowspan=2|MLS |16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 17 | 0 | ||||
| 2022
|16 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 17 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 34 | 1 | |||
| New York Red Bulls II (loan)
|2022 |USL |5 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 5 | 1 | |||||
| Vendsyssel (loan)
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Minnesota United
|2024 |MLS |23 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 23 | 0 | |||||
| Minnesota United FC 2 (loan)
|2024 |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|CF Montréal
|2024 |rowspan=2|MLS |9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 4 | ||||
| 2025
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 4 | |||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!99 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 16 |
=International=
{{updated|match played January 22, 2025|{{NFT player|97350}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States
|2025 | 2 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 2 | 1 |
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+List of international goals scored by Caden Clark !No. !Date !Venue !Cap !Opponent !Score !Result !Competition | |||||||
| align="center"|1 | January 22, 2025 | Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, United States | align="center"|2 | {{fb|CRC}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|3–0 | Friendly |
{{notelist}}
Honors
United States U20
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player}}
- {{USL Championship player}}
- {{U.S. Soccer player|c/caden-clark}}
{{CF Montréal squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Caden}}
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:United States men's under-20 international soccer players
Category:American people of Austrian descent
Category:American people of Hungarian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Hungarian descent
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Soccer players from Hennepin County, Minnesota
Category:New York Red Bulls II players
Category:New York Red Bulls players
Category:Vendsyssel FF players
Category:Minnesota United FC players
Category:Minnesota United FC 2 players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Danish 1st Division players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players in Germany
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark