League Announcement

Countdown to First Kick: 29 Clark the key for Houston

Countdown to First Kick - Clark - Feb. 10

As First Kick, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods approaches, MLSsoccer.com is marking each passing day with a different statistic, observation or talking point, setting the stage for the beginning of the 2012 MLS campaign.

29 – games played by Houston’s Colin Clark in 2011


Clark might be the most snake-bit player in MLS. In 2009 and 2010, knee injuries ended his seasons prematurely.


But in 2011, Clark showed some of that old razzle-dazzle from 2008, the only other time he played 29 matches in a season. That year, he had five goals and three assists for Colorado, and his performances even earned him a cap for the US national team.


Then came the knee injuries, and a trade to Houston midway through 2010. Finally healthy in 2011, he finished with four goals and three assists, and appeared in the MLS Cup final.


With the departure of Danny Cruz, the energetic Clark, 27, should play a major role in the Dynamo’s chances in 2011. In fact, we’d argue they need another 29 games out of him if they are going to get back to the Cup.


Colin Clark and the Houston Dynamo take on Chivas USA on Sunday, March 11, live on Galavision. GET TICKETS!

<h1><a href="/news/article/2012/02/09/countdown-first-kick-30-hartman-has-nys-number">&larr; #30</a></h1>
<h1 class="rteright"><a href="/news/article/2012/02/11/countdown-first-kick-28-la-and-rsl-over-years">#28 &rarr;</a></h1>

Colin Clark sneaks one in on a corner kick