• 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 edit

University of Kentucky edit

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 edit

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 edit

Columbus Crew 2 edit

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 edit

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 edit

  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. 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. Retrieved April 29, 2024.