the outspoken & sometimes vulgar Steve "Stonewall" Clark RSL has filed a discovery claim on GK Steve Clark. Clark, a 6'2" 190 lbs U.S. citizen, is currently in Norway on a 2 week trial for club Nybergsund IL. If/when he returns, Clark is likely to participate in RSL's preseason training camp. Curriculum Vitae 2006-2008: Michigan Bucks (PDL): led Bucks to the 2006 PDL championship & 2007 title match Bucks are a Columbus Crew "affiliate" club Bucks also former club of RSL trialist David Hertel 2006-2008: Oakland University: led Oakland U to 2nd round of NCAA tourny in 2007 elected Oakland U's student body president MLS training experience (prior): Columbus Crew Chivas USA Colorado Rapids Nybergsund IL: presently mid-table in Norway's 2nd division current(?) club of former RSL glam-defender Jack Stewart MORE STEVE CLARK: In his own words...
It doesn't seem like there is any buzz out there on this guy, based on my limited google research of him. This one seems kind of puzzling. I'd say he's training camp fodder, but you wouldn't blow an allocation on someone like that. Anybody know anything more about him that would give us the warm fuzzies?
we already lost Dema, Sturgis, the Dr, and Espy... might as well add Seitz to the list right? How about we trade Seitz to Villa in exchange for Ashley Young? Any takers?
It seems like the team was on a salary crunch, and now they are bringing in this guy from the Dutch league. I don't think he's going to come cheap (maybe in the 200k range), so where do they get the money from? My guess is they are looking to trade Seitz for allocation $ (hopefully a draft pick or two as well), but Seitz is still GA isn't he? So they could also try to keep Seitz and unload Rimando
Could be... but most of the teams that needed keepers have already got their keeper this offseason (LA, Colorado, etc...) ... except chivas they take a lot of the players that we need to get rid of though. Do they want one more?
Yeah since he has never been capped, we don't need a allocation to get him. But per MLS rules, we do have to be the first to claim him via the Discovery system. Supposedly, we used also used a discovery claim on El Toro, Luis Miguel Escalada. http://keepinitrealsl.blogspot.com/2009/01/confirmed-luis-escalada-to-real-salt.html
My guess is the discovery was filed mostly to prevent other teams from signing him. That is how this crap system we have works isn't it?
Maybe the staff simply isn't as high on Reynish as the third guy (potential second if Seitz or Rimando goes) as they'd like?
After looking into this, I think I have discovered the source of the interest. Reynish is now 25, and is no longer eligible for a developmental contract ($17K). It seems that most teams in the league are unwilling to pay their 3rd keeper (emergency keeper) a senior contract ($33K).
...makes sense. Harsh, maybe. But the right move for a club that's always a bit susceptible to inefficient sentimentalism.
Clark has been one of the best goalkeepers in the PDL for one of the best teams in the league over the last three years. He was Summit League Defensive MVP this past season and some were very surprised he wasn't invited to the MLS Combine. He did go to the USL Combine. Interesting fact: Had a 41 match unbeaten streak in the PDL for the Michigan Bucks running from July 8, 2006 to July 26, 2008.