Ricardo Clark has confirmed via Twitter that he will be staying with the Houston Dynamo next season.
By signing the new contract with the Dynamo, Clark is not eligible to test the first free agency period of Major League Soccer (MLS) history. The club re-signing Clark is no surprise, as rumor had it the Dynamo wanted to and were close to keeping the nine-year MLS veteran in Houston.
The former-United States international made it public that he agreed with the contract that the Dynamo offered him. The details of the contract have not yet been released, but the 32-year-old will be staying in Houston, his home for half of his 12-year career thus far.
Clark's Long History In Houston
Clark was one of multiple players in 2005 to make the move from the San Jose Earthquakes to Houston. The Dynamo made their Major League Soccer debut the following year; Clark tasted success when the club won consecutive MLS Cup Finals in 2006 and 2007.
The World Cup veteran decided to not renew his MLS contract in 2009 and ventured across the Atlantic. He signed with Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt that year. Clark's stint in Europe was cut short to injuries; he returned back to the States in 2012.
Clark reunited with the Dynamo that August, and right away he was a part of another run to the Final. This time, however, Clark did not lift the trophy. The Dynamo were defeated by the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 at the Home Depot Center.
After losing to eventual 2013 Sporting Kansas City in the Conference Finals 2-1 in two legs the following season, Houston has not tasted the playoffs. Clark's production rate has regardless not declined.
Constant Improvement Shown Out On The Pitch
In his first four years with the club, Clark scored a total of seven goals and added eight assists. Since his return to the club in 2012, he has scored 17 times and set up nine goals in the process.
This season alone, Clark scored the most goals he ever has in his carrier with eight. Additionally, he started 30 games, a feat unaccomplished by him since 2006. That was Houston's first year in the MLS.
It is safe to say that the 32-year-old veteran is improving with every season that passes. Will he drop another career high of eight goals or more again in 2016? Most likely not.Houston and head coach Owen Coyle will benefit from having the experience veteran on his roster next season either way.