January 10, 2002
GREENVILLE -- Furman men's soccer standout Ricardo Clark was selected on Friday as one of 11 Soccer America MVP's, giving Clark a clean sweep of all Division I men's soccer first team All-America teams.
Ricardo Clark, a midfielder from Jonesboro, Ga., announced earlier this week that he will forego his final two seasons of eligibility at Furman and enter the MLS Draft through its Project-40 program.
Clark adds this Soccer America citation to first team All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and College Soccer News. Clark is one of only five players to be named to all three first teams joining national player-of-the-year Alecko Eskadarian from Virginia, St. John's Chris Wingert, SMU's Diego Walsh, and Creighton's Mike Tranchilla.
He anchored Furman's midfield in 2002 as he scored three goals and recorded three assists for nine points. Clark was also a first team All-Southern Conference selection and a first team NSCAA All-South region choice in 2002.
Clark is also a starter on the U.S. Under-20 National Team as he will compete with the United States in the FIFA World Youth Championships this spring in the United Arab Emirates. He and his Under-20 teammates will also compete January 12-14 in the adidas MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Soccer America regarded Clark as "perhaps the top two-way player in college soccer" in announcing its top 11 college soccer players in 2002.
The Paladins finished the season with a 19-3-1 overall record, including a third round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Furman set new NCAA Division I records this season as it extended its Southern Conference unbeaten streak to 43 matches and as it recorded 11 straight shutouts from October 9 through November 27, going 1,129 minutes without allowing a goal.
Soccer America MVP's