• Comment: with only one reference independent to the topic, citation needs more time yo improve ANUwrites 22:52, 17 March 2024 (UTC)

Clay Holstad
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-01-12) January 12, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Birmingham, Alabama
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Rhode Island FC
Number 12
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018-2022 Kentucky 85 (5)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Dalton Red Wolves SC 10 (2)
2023 Columbus Crew 2 26 (1)
2024 Rhode Island FC 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 29, 2024

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

Amateur career

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University of Kentucky

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Holstad had a successful college career with the Kentucky Wildcats[1], playing a total of 5 years for the team. In his fifth-year senior year, he was a regular starter, scored one goal and had four assists.

That senior-year team won the 2022 Sun Belt Conference championship, and Holstad was named the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Tournament MVP.[2] He was also awarded Sun Belt Second-Team Conference honors at the conclusion of the 2022 regular season.[3]

Dalton SC

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Between seasons at Kentucky, Holstad spent the summer of 2019 playing for the amateur Dalton Red Wolves SC of USL League Two. He had 10 appearances, and scored two goals.[4]

Professional Career

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Columbus Crew 2

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After his college career, Holstad was selected by the Columbus Crew in the second round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, number 47 overall.[5] Once drafted by the Crew, Holstad was signed by the affiliated Columbus Crew 2 of MLS Next Pro for the 2023 season.[6]

Holstad appeared in 26 games for the Crew 2, starting 19 of them. He scored one goal over the course of the season.[7]

Rhode Island FC

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Holstad signed as a free transfer with Rhode Island FC on January 12, 2024.[8][9] He was a starter in the team's inaugural game, and nearly scored two goals in the first half, hitting the goalpost twice.[10] As a result of his actions in the inaugural game, he was named to the USL Week 2 "Championship Team of the Week."[11]

Clay's first goal for RIFC was scored in the team's US Open Cup debut.[12] In league play, his scoring debut came against Phoenix Rising FC and nominated for USL Week 8 "Fans' Choice Goal of the Week."[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Clay Holstad". ukathletics.com. University of Kentucky. August 9, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "UK men's soccer wins Sun Belt Conference Tournament". WKYT.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "Sun Belt Conference Announces 2022 Postseason Awards". ukathletics.com. University of Kentucky. November 4, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "Clay Holstad". USLLeague2.com. USL League 2. July 14, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  5. ^ "Columbus Crew Selects Three Players in 2023 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas". columbuscrew.com. Columbus Crew. December 21, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Columbus Crew 2 signs Midfielder Clay Holstad". columbuscrew.com. Columbus Crew. March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Clay Holstad". mlsnextpro.com. MLS NEXT Pro. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Clay Holstad". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  9. ^ "Clay Holstad Signs With RIFC". theblazingmusket.com. The Blazing Musket. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "RIFC Draws Historic First Match In Stunning Fashion". theblazingmusket.com. The Blazing Musket. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2". uslchampionship.com. USL Championship. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "NIGHT ONE OF U.S. OPEN CUP THIRD ROUND DELIVERS DRAMATIC FINISHES ACROSS FIVE MATCHES". US Soccer Association. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 8". USL Championship. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.