Caden Clark Chasing Glory with Montrèal
Today marks 18 months since Minnesota United announced the signing of Caden Clark. A native Minnesotan, Clark developed in the Minnesota Thunder’s academy before heading to Arizona and joining the Barça Residency Academy. In the following years, Clark would emerge as a revelation for the New York Red Bulls and become the youngest player to score in his first two MLS games, before joining Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. Having failed to break into the first team, Clark decided to head back to North America and join Minnesota United in January 2024.
After a brief loan spell at Danish side Vendsyssel FF, he returned to Minnesota following seven years away from his home state. It seemed to be the perfect homecoming for a player who was long considered one of American soccer’s brightest talents. It seemed too good to be true. And as Clark would come to find out, it was in fact too good to be true.
Having made a name for himself as an attacking midfielder, Clark was utilized out of position and was forced to adjust to life as a right back / right wing-back under Eric Ramsay. He struggled to make an impact in possession and out of possession, making just 11 starts for the Loons and even being demoted to their MLS Next Pro side.
“I didn’t feel too comfortable as a wingback or right back,” stated Clark in an RG interview. The whole defending thing got to me, always checking if someone’s running in behind, checking your line, checking where the ball is, you’re mentally exhausted. It’s definitely not an easy job. As a 10, I can defend pretty well, I just don’t know if I have the mechanics to be a right back, my defending is more up top and pressing and trying to pick the players off.”
“It was great to come home and be around family and friends, but it just didn’t work out here. They had a coaching change and a front office change, and we just didn’t have the same vision. I didn’t play well at right back, which is understandable, but they wanted to go in a different direction, that’s why it didn’t work out, but I couldn’t be happier.”
After just a few months in the Gopher State, Clark realized it was time for a new challenge. Having plied his trade in the USA, Germany and Denmark, he decided to test his skills in a new country: Canada. Clark was traded to CF Montréal for $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM) and a second-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft 2025. Minnesota could also receive up to $100,000 in additional GAM if certain performance-based conditions are met, and will also retain a sell-on percentage if Clark is transferred out of the MLS.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and that’s certainly been the case for Clark. Having failed to provide a single goal contribution in 23 appearances in Minnesota, he has already racked up four goals and two assists in 12 appearances for Montrèal. Montreal were 11th in the Eastern Conference when they traded for Clark – they ended in 8th place after winning four of their last five regular season matches, enough to see them qualify for the wild-card match, where they lost on penalties to Atlanta United.
Clark excelled under French coach Laurent Courtois, impressing as a second striker in their 3-4-2-1 formation. Clark finished amongst Montreal’s top three players in goals (4), successful dribbles per 90 (0.6) and key passes per 90 (0.7) and provided the impetus for their playoff berth, forming a stellar partnership up top with Josef Martínez. He quickly emerged as a key figure in Canada and even earned the attention of USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino.
“[Courtois] gives me the freedom to do certain things that I want to do on the pitch and it’s a really open dialogue, the trust is there. He’s a great manager and sees really interesting parts of the game. Having him as a manager is only going to help me and the club. I’m finally playing in my position and getting a run of games, getting in behind, manipulating pocket space to run in behind, and coming into the pocket. I just started doing that 10 games ago at Montreal, so I’m getting a feel for myself, but the move has definitely been a step in the right direction.”
In December 2021, Clark was called up for the US Men’s National Team for the first time, only to remain on the bench for their friendly vs. Bosnia. Three years later, he was called up again, and this time, he managed to make his senior debut. Clark bagged an assist in a 3-1 friendly win vs. Venezuela and a goal in their 3-0 win vs. Costa Rica, and he could very well be in line for a competitive debut this month as the USA prepare to face Panama in the Concacaf Nations League finals.
With Martínez taking his talents to the San Jose Earthquakes in the offseason, Clark has even more responsibility on his shoulders in attack. He was utilized as a left-sided wingback in Montrèal’s season opener, a 3-2 loss at Atlanta, before partnering Prince-Osei Owusu in a two-man attack in their 1-0 defeat at Minnesota.
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One of the only four MLS teams with zero points alongside Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, and reigning MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy, Montrèal will be counting on Clark to step up and deliver the goods as they look to get their season up and running with a win at Canadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.
By: Zach Lowy / @ZachLowy
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Icon Sportswire