The life of a soccer trialist is an uncertain one. Just ask Columbus Crew SC’s Steve Clark. Now a No1 goalkeeper, his career has not always been so assured.
“I was at Real Salt Lake for six weeks and got released on the last day,” Clark explained. Recalling the first of many bumps during his early career, the Michigan native humbly admits his talent is not natural.
“I’m not inherently a good goalkeeper, I have to work hard every day.”
In 2009, while bouncing around what he describes as “the fourth tier of professional soccer” in the United States, Clark knew something had to change.
“It was really a gut-check moment in my career,” Clark said, describing his decision to pack his bags and head for Europe. “I had been let go by three teams and I went into my postseason meeting with Charleston [Battery]. I had played some of the best soccer of my life in training. Guys on the team were saying I deserved some playing time.”
Those in charge of the USL club disagreed, informing Clark they would not be bringing him back for preseason. “I needed new eyes on me,” he said.
His first stop in Europe was England. In late 2009 he impressed on trial at Bradford City, but without a visa, a move was impossible. Undeterred, Clark headed across the North Sea to Norway.
Once there he earned an audition with Stabæk IF. Facing a bleep test, he once again showed his determination. “I nearly won the thing,” he enthused.
A deal seemed close. The medical formalities were complete and the contract was ready to be inked, the next chapter of Clark’s career was set to begin. “The rug got pulled out from under me.” Clark explained before adding. “That was by far the toughest part of my whole adventure.”
The club had opted to sign another more experienced goalkeeper. It was devastating, even for someone as single-minded as Clark. Where did he go from here? Money was low. “I think I had about, 2100 Norwegian kroner [$256] to my name at the time,” he said.
Couch surfing and calling in favors had been instrumental in getting Clark this far and his options now seemed exhausted. Spending his final night in Norway drinking whiskey with some friends, it would prove a memorable evening.
Calling one last team – second-division Hønefoss BK – he waited. Clark’s friend Endre Osnes did the talking. “I had no idea what was being said,” Clark explained. “I was just trying to watch his facial expressions.”
Osnes hung up the phone he smiled, Clark had a trial the next day. The room, warm from a small wood burning stove, erupted as they celebrated late into the night.
The next day he took a bus to the club’s training complex, it was a humble setting: “Stabæk had an indoor arena at the time and catered food, probably the standard MLS has right now,” Clark said. “It was outside and really cold [at Hønefoss]. The level of play was lower but I was happy to just be there.”
Signed after playing just 45 minutes in a trial game, it began his swift rise through Norwegian football. Helping Hønefoss earn promotion to the top division, he was named in broadcaster TV2’s 2012 Tippeligaen team of the year. Narrowly avoiding relegation that season, he also kept two clean sheets against Stabæk as they were relegated.
Eager to prove his doubters wrong, the 28-year-old feels it is why he has built such an affinity with the Crew SC’s supporters. “Columbus gets knocked a little but it’s a great city and I enjoy living here,” he said. “I think I’ll always be the type of guy no matter how much success, I’ll have a chip on my shoulder.”
Granted the chance to move back to the US in late 2013, it arrived after positive discussions with Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter. “I think when he signed me to the club he had this [style of play] in mind. I wasn’t always this type of goalkeeper but it’s something I’m always working on,” Clark explains, crediting a fantastic coaching staff at Hønefoss with developing his technique.
Proving a solid acquisition, he earned rave reviews at times last season. Taking two weeks off during the post-season, he admits to ‘training smarter’ and feels he is yet to reach his potential. “I understand what my expectations are. I believe I’m a far better goalkeeper than I was this time last year, but success isn’t promised.”
Highlighted as a potential difference-maker for his side, Clark is still focused on improving. “One of the biggest things has been valuing the journey and trying to get as good as you can be,” he said. “I’m not sure where I’ll end up. No one really knows where the end game is. It’s like a puzzle to see how good you can really get.”
Sometimes completing that puzzle means stepping away from the field. In Norway his focus on development was ubiquitous. “It’s a double edged sword, you have to let go and perform,” Clark explains. “If you’re too focused on development it takes away from your performance. A few months ago I was watching film and I just had to turn it off and be like, dude, relax.”
As for his season Clark is quietly confident. “We’re not there yet but we have those pieces. We don’t have a lot of egos and I like where we’re headed as a team. I don’t think we’ll be the same team we were a year ago.”
From Charleston to Columbus, it’s been quite a journey for Clark. So much so even his fiancé has admitted to thinking he had embellished the story when they first met. However for Clark, the aim now is not to focus on the wonderful chapters that have been written, but instead those he is currently writing.
