October 12, 2020
Casa Grande, Ariz – Seventeen-year-old Barça Residency Academy alumni Caden Clark signed an MLS contract with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday morning, October 10. Clark was added to the roster and immediately made available for the Red Bulls’ match that day against Atlanta United FC where he not only started but scored the game-winning goal in his MLS debut.
“Caden is a promising young player, and everyone at the club is excited about his growth and the qualities he’s shown during his first professional season,” said Red Bulls Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell. “He’s earned an opportunity to move up to the First Team, and we look forward to his continued growth and development as a player and person.”
From Barça Residency Academy, Clark signed a USL contract with NYRB II in February where he made 12 appearances, scored three goals, and provided a team-leading five assists during his time with the club’s second team.
One of those assists to former Barça Residency Academy teammate Jake LaCava.
The Medina, Minnesota native spent the prior three seasons at Barça Residency Academy competing in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Clark was a standout player for the academy and a rising star who made a career total of 58 appearances and 15 goals.
“Barça was the best place for me to go to develop as a midfielder. They are all about getting midfielders on the ball…and being on a team where the midfielders have a lot on their shoulders, helped me develop as a player” said Clark in an August 24 interview with Jake Castillo of OneGoal.
Clark was a part of Barça Residency Academy’s U-17 team that placed third at the 2018 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championships in the club’s inaugural season. The following year, Clark played up an age group and set the 2019 U-19 DA Playoffs alight with three goals, one in each of his three appearances. His late game-winner against Chargers SC in a must win match for Barça was a viral moment in the soccer community and Caden’s name began to trend.
A moment the mid-fielder later recollected as the best soccer moment of his soccer career in an August 20 Q&A with the Red Bulls. When asked what has been the best moment of his soccer career so far, Clark answered, “Last year at the Developmental Academy playoffs, I scored the game-winning goal to keep us alive in our group. It was a great experience because it was with the U-19’s. It was a real high-pressure match, and the reaction after was awesome.”
Surely that moment now comes second to the unforgettable and life changing 24 hours that Clark experienced on Saturday. The Red Bulls announced Clark’s signing on Saturday morning, five hours later – Clark made his MLS debut as a starter in their game against Atlanta United, and he scored the game-winning goal in the 47th minute, and became the youngest player to score a goal in Red Bulls history.
Caden Clark is a special young talent with a bright future ahead.
