USYNT midfielder Caden Clark off to stunning start in MLS at age 17
U.S. Youth National Team midfielder Caden Clark’s Major League Soccer career is off to a flying start, with the 17-year-old scoring two remarkable goals in his first two appearances for the New York Red Bulls.
At 17 years and 145 days, he’s the youngest player in league history to score in his first two MLS appearances, but what’s really turning heads is the way he’s found the back of the net with two golazos.
Clark signed a contract with New York on Oct. 10 and started the club’s match that night at Atlanta United. Just after halftime, the debutant netted a banger on this one-time volley which proved to be the game-winner.
▪️ Signs a contract with @NewYorkRedBulls
▪️ Scores a banger on his @MLS debutHave a day, 17-year-old @iamcadenclark! ?pic.twitter.com/rIoUjweXxK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 10, 2020
The Medina, Minn. native came off the bench on Oct. 15 at Toronto FC and made some more magic happen. Stumbling as he collected the ball and turned towards goal, Clark ripped a rocket from outside the box to draw the Red Bulls even.
GOLAZO FOR THE KID! @iamcadenclark did it again! pic.twitter.com/gwH26yfM5H
— Red Bull New York (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 15, 2020
Clark has appeared in several training camps for the Under-16 and Under-14 Boys’ National Teams. Born in 2003, he’s age-eligible for the next two FIFA Under-20 World Cups. After his blazing start in MLS, he could play his way into consideration for Anthony Hudson’s U-20 USMNT squad as it prepares to qualify for the 2021 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
Clark played five seasons in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy before signing a USL contract in February with New York Red Bulls II. Previously, he spent three years with the Barca Academy in Casa Grande, Ariz. after kicking off his youth career at home in Minnesota with the Minnesota Thunder Academy.
