Steve Clark

The Michigan native took a circuitous path to Major League Soccer, establishing himself in the Norwegian top flight before landing with the Columbus Crew.

Clarksteve_isi_mlsbs030814161_qlead Brad Smith/isiphotos.com

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?

I always played on the playground. I would just go in goal and people would rip shots all recess, so that was what I did until I started playing third grade soccer with a team.

WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?

Kasey Keller.

DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.

[no answer; Clark has yet to make an appearance for the United States.]

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?

That’s a really good question—I really admire people who are extremely technical. I have to work for my technique, but some guys are beautifully technical players.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?

Complaining.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?

Preparation.

WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?

Ball-striking.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?

Oakland University’s head coach, Eric Pogue.

WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?

The great thing about soccer is I have friends all over the world now.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?

Beating Michigan State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2007.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?

Being relegated last year in Norway.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?

It’s important to stay humble.

WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?

Federico Higuain is quite good, Michael Parkhurst is good. There are a couple of players also in Norway.

WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?

We played [FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk] from Ukraine in Spain one year and they were just lights out.

IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I’m still trying to figure that out.

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?

I think just trying to enjoy every moment in the day-to-day life of when you’re a player with the ups and the downs because it is going to be over before you know it.

Clarksteve Read His ASN Profile
AmericanSoccerNow.