The Columbus Crew veteran has overcome a series of hurdles to become one of the most respected goalkeepers in MLS.
Steve Clark knows exactly how many passes he completed in the MLS Cup final. He rattles it off without hesitation: 22.
The Columbus Crew goalkeeper also knows exactly how many passes missed the mark on that brisk December day: one — just one.
The blemish, of course, came 27 seconds after kickoff. As Columbus knocked the ball around the back, Portland Timbers playmaker Diego Valeri rushed Clark, extended his right leg and sent the attempted pass careening into the Crew net.