Clay Holstad
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Clay Holstad | ||
| Date of birth | January 12, 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Dallas (on loan from Rhode Island FC) | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2018 | Birmingham United | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2022 | Kentucky Wildcats | 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 | 63 | (6) |
| 2026– | → FC Dallas (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 25, 2025 | |||
Clay Holstad (born January 12, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas, on loan from USL Championship club Rhode Island FC.
Early life and education
[edit]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
[edit]Columbus Crew 2
[edit]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
[edit]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]
Holstad remained with Rhode Island through the 2025 season and the first part of 2026. He became the club's all-time appearance leader, making 96 appearances across all competitions and recording 10 goals and eight assists.[13]
FC Dallas
[edit]On July 27, 2026, Holstad joined Major League Soccer club FC Dallas on loan through December 2026, with Dallas holding an option for a permanent transfer.[13][14] The move reunited him with Dallas head coach Eric Quill, who had coached Holstad at Texans SC during his youth career.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Holstad has known fellow soccer player JJ Williams since childhood, as both grew up playing soccer in Birmingham, Alabama.[15]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Recruiting Class - Birmingham AL". Birmingham United Soccer Association. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Clay Holstad". UK Athletics. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ↑ "No. 3 Kentucky men's soccer continues historic season with shutout of Evansville". Kentucky Kernel. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "2022 Sun Belt Men's Soccer Awards and All-Conference Teams Announced". Sun Belt Sports. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Columbus Crew select two players in first round, three total in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Columbus Crew 2 signs Midfielder Clay Holstad". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Clay Holstad - MLS Next Pro". MLS Next Pro. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Clay Holstad". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Clay Holstad 2024 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
- ↑ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2". USL Championship. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
- ↑ "Rhode Island FC Announces Roster Updates Ahead of 2025 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
- 1 2 3 "FC Dallas Acquires Midfielder Clay Holstad on Loan from USL Championship Side Rhode Island FC". FC Dallas. July 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Rhode Island FC Loans Midfielder Clay Holstad to Major League Soccer Club FC Dallas". Rhode Island FC. July 27, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ "JJ Williams discusses his relationship with Clay Holstad". YouTube. Raising Anchor Podcast. 2024.
