Caden Clark will always remember October 10, 2020.
On October 10, 2020, Clark signed with the New York Red Bulls.
On October 10, 2020, Clark made his first professional start for the New York Red Bulls.
On October 10, 2020, Clark scored his first MLS goal.
On October 10, 2020, Clark scored the game-winner against Atlanta United FC.
In the 47th minute, Clark was waiting at the top of the box as Captain Sean Davis swung in a corner kick. Tom Barlow made a slashing run into the six, getting a head on the ball and flicking it onward.
It came right to Clark, who volleyed it past Brad Guzan and into the back of the net.
“I didn’t believe it and I still don’t believe it,” Clark said. “It hasn’t hit me yet.”
He is the fifth youngest player in league history to score on his MLS debut. The previous fifth youngest is his teammate, Ben Mines.
“The ball came right to me and I was fortunate enough to hit it in the right spot,” Clark said of his first goal.
Clark was able to get in training sessions with the team -- starting his quarantine before the USL season wrapped up -- which helped him familiarize himself with the squad.
“The whole team and the whole coaching staff gave me confidence,” Clark said, as he found out he was signing and starting in just a 24-hour span.
Clark, at 17 years, 4 months and 13 days, is the youngest player to score his first goal for the club since 2006, according to Opta.
“My phone is blowing up,” Clark said. “I haven’t even texted my dad back yet.”
