WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University senior midfielder Ryan Clark (Freehold,
N.J./Freehold Township) has been selected by the New York Red Bulls with the
first pick in the first round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft (No. 39
overall). He becomes the fourth Hawk selected by an MLS team in the last three
years, following Bryan Meredith (No. 29, Seattle), Ryan Kinne (No. 42, New
England) and RJ Allen (No. 43, Chivas USA), and the sixth overall, also joining
Hugh MacDonald and Tom Gray.
"Getting picked today by New
York was my first choice. It's where I really wanted to go," said Clark. "They've
made a lot of changes over the past year, and I think the team will be very
good this year. I'm really excited to be a part of it. I want to thank Coach
McCourt, Hugh MacDonald and Evan Unger for all they've done for me. I feel they've
turned Monmouth into an elite program that every year is competing at the
highest level. It's humbling to be included in the group of players drafted
recently - RJ Allen, Ryan Kinne, Bryan Meredith, Hugh MacDonald and Tom Gray. I'm
happy and proud to be where I am today and I'm humbled to be a part of that
elite class."
Clark capped a much-heralded
collegiate career with his third Regional All-American and fourth All-NEC
honors in 2012. He finished the season with three goals, all game winners, to
go along with a team-high six assists. Clark selflessly played all over the
field this season, moving from midfield to forward and back to the back line at
different points in the season. His game-winning goals came against Columbia,
Mount St. Mary's and LIU Brooklyn. In the preseason, Clark was named a Second
Team All-American by College Soccer News and was selected to the prestigious
MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Top Drawer Soccer also named Clark No. 72 on its
list of the Top 100 underclassmen in the nation.
"This is wonderful news for
Ryan," said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. "He has handled himself
like a young professional in his four years here at Monmouth. We are
excited that he was drafted by RBNY. Selfishly it makes it easier for us
to see matches and watch him further his career. Ryan has been the epitome
of the term 'student-athlete.' He graduated a semester early with a 3.8
GPA. He has been a role model for his teammates on and off the field."
Clark finished his collegiate career with 55 points on 15 goals and 25 assists.
He scored nine game-winning goals and helped the Hawks to three-straight NCAA
Tournament appearances and two NCAA Second Round games. Clark helped Monmouth
to three-straight Northeast Conference Regular-Season Championships and
three-straight NEC Tournament Championships.
