Clint Irwin
{{short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Clint Irwin
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Clinton Robert Irwin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|4|1}}
| birth_place = Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
| height = {{convert|1.91|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=Clint Irwin |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/players/clint-irwin/ |access-date=22 August 2022 |publisher=Colorado Rapids}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Charlotte United
| collegeyears1 = 2007–2010
| college1 = Elon Phoenix
| collegecaps1 = 54
| collegegoals1 = 0
| years1 = 2008–2009
| clubs1 = Carolina Dynamo
| caps1 = 8
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = Capital City
| caps2 = 18
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = Charlotte Eagles
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2013–2015
| clubs4 = Colorado Rapids
| caps4 = 89
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016–2018
| clubs5 = Toronto FC
| caps5 = 32
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2016
| clubs6 = Toronto FC II
| caps6 = 2
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019–2022
| clubs7 = Colorado Rapids
| caps7 = 16
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2019
| clubs8 = → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2022
| clubs9 = Colorado Rapids 2
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = Minnesota United
| caps10 = 9
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2024
| clubs11 = Minnesota United 2
| caps11 = 5
| goals11 = 0
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = October 20, 2024
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Clinton Robert Irwin (born April 1, 1989) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.
Early life
Irwin attended high school at Charlotte Christian School. As a student, he played basketball, where he was a teammate of future NBA player Stephen Curry.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/steph-curry-nba-all-star-game-golden-state-warriors-toronto-fc-tfc-mls-major-league-soccer-clint-irwin//|title=TFC's Irwin: Curry 'unbelievably skilled' as high schooler|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|author=John Molinaro|date=February 12, 2016}}
Irwin attended Elon University, where he made 54 appearances for the Elon Phoenix over four seasons.{{cite web|title= Clint Irwin - 2010 Men's Soccer|url= http://elonphoenix.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=123&path=msoc|publisher= Elon University|accessdate= 1 September 2016}}
Club career
= Early career =
While attending university, Irwin played two seasons with USL Premier Development Division club Carolina Dynamo.{{cite web|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/clinton-irwin/|title=Clint Irwin at SoccerStats.us|website=SoccerStats.us|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}
After his time at Elon, Irwin joined Capital City of the Canadian Soccer League for the 2011 season and was named the team captain.{{Cite news |date=29 April 2011 |title=Sports Flashes - Capital City Net Players |work=Ottawa Sun}}{{Cite news |last=Starnes |first=Richard |date=20 May 2011 |title=Capital City success will come by committee; Team kicks off CSL season tonight |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=B5}} Irwin made 22 appearances for Capital City and scored a goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Windsor Stars.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports11/11csl096.htm|title=July 16, 2011 CSL--details of Saturday games (from CSL website)|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|language=en|access-date=July 10, 2017}} He would help the Ottawa-based club secure a playoff berth by finishing third in the league's first division.{{Cite news |date=6 October 2011 |title=Capital City wins out |work=Nepean Barrhaven EMC |pages=27}} Ottawa defeated Montreal Impact's academy team in the quarterfinal round.{{Cite news |last=Desaulniers |first=Darren |date=17 October 2011 |title=Surviving the Impact; Capital City FC advances into CSL semifinals |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=B6}} In the next round, Ottawa defeated the Serbian White Eagles to advance to the championship final.{{Cite news |last=Desaulniers |first=Darren |date=24 October 2011 |title=Headed for the final; Capital City FC advances to Canadian Soccer League title game |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=C5}} Ottawa would face Toronto Croatia in the championship final and were defeated by Toronto.{{Cite news |last=Barrs |first=Rory |date=30 October 2011 |title=Just one goal short for Capital City FC; First-year team loses CSL final |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=C1}} After the conclusion of the season, Irwin was nominated for the league's best goalkeeper award.{{Cite news |date=16 November 2011 |title=City FC Rookie Nets Award |work=Ottawa Citizen}}
= United States =
Following his stint with Capital City, Irwin joined his hometown club, the Charlotte Eagles in the USL Professional Division. On July 6, 2012, Irwin made his debut in a 2–0 win over the Charleston Battery{{cite web|title=Eagles Get Past Battery|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72011+Elements/Display+E+47116+News/Display/+22311+43140329+10306|work=uslsoccer.com|publisher=United Soccer Leagues|accessdate=22 February 2013|date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412021851/http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72011+Elements/Display+E+47116+News/Display/+22311+43140329+10306|archive-date=12 April 2013|url-status=dead}}
In February 2013, Irwin signed with Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids after a successful trial in preseason.{{cite web|title=Rapids sign goalkeeper Clint Irwin and defender Kory Kindle|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/02/rapids-sign-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-and-defender-kory-kindle|website=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids Media Relations|accessdate=22 February 2013|date=21 February 2013|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203184755/http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/02/rapids-sign-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-and-defender-kory-kindle|url-status=dead}} He made his debut for the club on March 16 in 1–1 draw against Real Salt Lake, coming on as a 7th-minute substitute for Matt Pickens.{{cite web |title=Real Salt Lake 1-1 Colorado Rapids |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/16/united-states/mls/real-salt-lake/colorado-rapids/1433133/ |website=Soccerway}}
= Toronto FC =
Following the 2015 season, in February 2016, Irwin was traded to Toronto FC in exchange for targeted allocation money, a third-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional first-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/01/18/toronto-fc-acquire-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-colorado-rapids-targeted-allocation-money|title=Toronto FC acquire goalkeeper Clint Irwin from Colorado Rapids for targeted allocation money, draft picks|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|author=Nicholas Rosano|date=January 18, 2016}} After featuring as the club's starting goalkeeper for the first part of the season, Irwin sustained in injury in July, and as a result, he was replaced by his deputy Alex Bono in the starting line-up by manager Greg Vanney;{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/02/alex-bono-takes-reins-net-toronto-deal-clint-irwins-injury|title=Alex Bono takes the reins in net as Toronto deal with Clint Irwin's injury|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|author1=James Grossi|date=July 2, 2016|accessdate=December 21, 2017}} Upon his return to action, Irwin later regained the starting spot for the remainder of the regular season and the Playoffs,{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2017/08/10/alex-bono-has-grabbed-his-chance-as-tfcs-keeper.html|title=Alex Bono has grabbed his chance as TFC's keeper|website=thestar.com|publisher=The Toronto Star|author1=Laura Armstrong|date=August 10, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}} as Toronto went on to reach the 2016 MLS Cup Final. In the final, held at BMO Field on December 10, Toronto were defeated by Seattle Sounders FC 5–4 on penalties, following a 0–0 draw after extra time; Irwin was able to stop Álvaro Fernández's spot kick during the shootout, but misses from teammates Michael Bradley and Justin Morrow ultimately proved to be decisive.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=468711|title=Seattle Sounders beat Toronto FC on penalties to win 2016 MLS Cup|website=espnfc.com|publisher=ESPN FC|date=December 10, 2016|accessdate=December 11, 2016}} On December 13, 2016, Irwin was selected by Atlanta United FC in the third round of the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft, but was immediately traded back to Toronto for Mark Bloom and allocation money.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/12/watch-2016-mls-expansion-draft-tuesday-2-pm-et|title=Atlanta United, Minnesota United FC add five players in MLS Expansion Draft|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=December 12, 2016}}
The following season, Irwin suffered a hamstring injury in Toronto FC's home opener, a 0–0 draw against Sporting Kansas City; as a result, Bono was once again promoted to the starting line-up in Irwin's absence,{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc-clint-irwin-injury-status-1.4051868|title=Toronto FC goalkeeper Irwin out 4-5 weeks with hamstring injury|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC Sports|author1=Neil Davidson|date=April 2, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}} and eventually established himself as the team's outright first-choice shot-stopper by September 2017, due to his performances, even after Irwin's return from injury.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc-alex-bono-1.4420538|title=TFC's Alex Bono unfazed by challenges on and off the pitch|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC Sports|author1=Chicco Nacion|date=November 28, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/04/character-confidence-propel-tfcs-alex-bono-no-1-job-mls-cup-start|title=Character, confidence propel TFC's Alex Bono to No. 1 job, MLS Cup start|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|author1=James Grossi|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2017/12/06/mls-cup-features-two-of-the-leagues-best-goalkeepers.html|title=MLS Cup features two of the league's best goalkeepers|website=thestar.com|publisher=The Toronto Star|author1=Laura Armstrong|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/mls-cup-final-seattle-sounders-toronto-fc-1.4439250|title=Tale of the tape: Toronto FC seeks redemption in MLS Cup rematch|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC Sports|author1=Chicco Nacion|date=December 9, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}} In a rematch of the previous season's MLS Cup Final, on December 9, Toronto defeated Seattle 2–0 at home to capture the 2017 MLS Cup and complete an unprecedented treble of the MLS Cup, the Supporters' Shield, and the Canadian Championship.{{cite web|url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2017-12-09-toronto-fc-vs-seattle-sounders-fc|title=Recap: Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=December 9, 2017|accessdate=December 9, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2017/12/09/toronto-fc-captures-mls-cup.html|title=Toronto FC captures MLS Cup|website=thestar.com|publisher=The Toronto Star|author1=Laura Armstrong|date=December 9, 2017|accessdate=December 10, 2017}}
= MLS =
On December 14, 2018, Irwin was traded back to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.{{cite news |last1=Boniface |first1=Daniel |title=Clint Irwin returns to Colorado Rapids via trade |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/14/clint-irwin-trade-colorado-rapids/ |access-date=May 29, 2021 |work=The Denver Post |date=December 14, 2018}} He spent the 2019 season as the backup to former United States international Tim Howard.{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Liam |title=Why Clint Irwin deserves to be the Rapids' starting goalkeeper |url=https://www.burgundywave.com/2020/5/12/21256494/why-clint-irwin-deserves-to-be-the-rapids-starting-goalkeeper |access-date=May 29, 2021 |work=Burgundy Wave |date=May 12, 2020}} Irwin's contract with Colorado expired following the 2022 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/who-s-in-who-s-out-mls-clubs-announce-roster-decisions-following-2022-season|title=Who's in, who's out? Gyasi Zardes' future uncertain at Colorado Rapids | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}
On December 6, 2022, Minnesota United FC announced it had signed Irwin to a two-year contract, beginning in 2023, in support of starting goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/minnesota-united-sign-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-in-free-agency|title=Minnesota United sign goalkeeper Clint Irwin in free agency | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played October 9, 2022}}{{Soccerway|clinton-irwin/236972|accessdate=September 1, 2016}}{{MLS player|clint-irwin}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|Playoffs !colspan=2|National cup !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|Carolina Dynamo
|2008 | 4 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!8||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||8||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=1|Capital City
|2011 | 18 | 1 | 4{{efn|name=csl|Appearances in CSL Championship}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 22 | 1 | ||
| rowspan=1|Charlotte Eagles
|2012 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 6 | 0 | ||
| rowspan=4|Colorado Rapids
|2013 | 32 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=mls|Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 34 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 26 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 28 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | 31 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 31 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!89||0||1||0||3||0||0||0||93||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=4|Toronto FC
|2016 | 19 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=mls}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 28 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!32||0||6||0||11||0||0||0||49||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=1|Toronto FC II (loan)
|2016 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| rowspan=5|Colorado Rapids
|2019 | 11 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!16||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||18||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=1|Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)
|2019 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan=3|Career total
!171||1||11||0||19||0||0||0||201||1 |
{{Notelist}}
Honors
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player|clint-irwin}}
- [http://elonphoenix.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=123&path=msoc Elon University bio]
- {{Soccerway|clinton-irwin/236972}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Irwin, Clint}}
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Charlotte, North Carolina
Category:Charlotte Christian School alumni
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Elon Phoenix men's soccer players
Category:North Carolina Fusion U23 players
Category:Charlotte Eagles players
Category:Colorado Rapids players
Category:Toronto FC II players
Category:Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players
Category:Colorado Rapids 2 players
Category:Minnesota United FC players
Category:USL League Two players
Category:Canadian Soccer League (1998–present) players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players