Clay Holstad (born January 12, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Rhode Island FC in the USL Championship.

Early life and education

Holstad was born in Birmingham, Alabama and played youth soccer for Birmingham United.[1] He attended Oak Mountain High School, where he was recognized for his performances in high school soccer.[2]

Holstad played collegiate soccer at the University of Kentucky from 2018 to 2022, appearing in 85 matches and scoring five goals.[3] He was part of Kentucky teams that achieved a national ranking as high as third and played a role in the program’s success in the NCAA Tournament.[4] In 2022, he was named to the NCAA All-Southeast Region Second Team and was the Most Outstanding Player of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.[5] He earned a degree in chemical engineering in 2022.

Club career

Columbus Crew 2

Holstad was selected in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew.[6] He signed his first professional contract with Columbus Crew 2 in MLS Next Pro in March 2023.[7]

During the 2023 season, he made 26 appearances, recorded one goal, and played 1,761 minutes.[8]

Rhode Island FC

In January 2024, Holstad signed with Rhode Island FC ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the USL Championship.[9] He was part of Rhode Island FC’s first match in March 2024 and played 33 games during the regular season, scoring four goals.[10] Holstad was included in the USL Championship Team of the Week early in the season.[11]

At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Rhode Island FC exercised his contract option for the following year.[12]

Personal life

Holstad has known fellow soccer player JJ Williams since childhood, as both grew up playing soccer in Birmingham, Alabama.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Recruiting Class - Birmingham AL". Birmingham United Soccer Association. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  2. ^ "Technique and Intensity: Oak Mountain Player and Coach Head to All-Star Soccer Matchup". Over the Mountain Journal. July 12, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  3. ^ "Clay Holstad". UK Athletics. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  4. ^ "No. 3 Kentucky men's soccer continues historic season with shutout of Evansville". Kentucky Kernel. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  5. ^ "2022 Sun Belt Men's Soccer Awards and All-Conference Teams Announced". Sun Belt Sports. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  6. ^ "Columbus Crew select two players in first round, three total in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  7. ^ "Columbus Crew 2 signs Midfielder Clay Holstad". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  8. ^ "Clay Holstad - MLS Next Pro". MLS Next Pro. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  9. ^ "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Clay Holstad". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  10. ^ "Clay Holstad 2024 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  11. ^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2". USL Championship. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  12. ^ "Rhode Island FC Announces Roster Updates Ahead of 2025 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  13. ^ "JJ Williams discusses his relationship with Clay Holstad". YouTube. Raising Anchor Podcast. 2024.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Clay_Holstad
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