Clay Holstad

Clay Holstad

Personal information
Full name	Clay Holstad
Date of birth	(2000-01-12) January 12, 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Rhode Island FC
Number	12
Youth career
2018	Birmingham United
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2022	Kentucky Wildcats	85	(5)
2019	Dalton Red Wolves SC	10	(2)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023	Columbus Crew 2	26	(1)
2024–present	Rhode Island FC	33	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 23, 2024

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

Early life and education

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

Columbus Crew 2

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

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]

Personal life

Holstad has known fellow soccer player JJ Williams since childhood, as both grew up playing soccer in Birmingham, Alabama. ^[13]

References

1. "Recruiting Class - Birmingham AL". Birmingham United Soccer Association. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
2. "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.
3. "Clay Holstad". UK Athletics. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
4. "No. 3 Kentucky men's soccer continues historic season with shutout of Evansville". Kentucky Kernel. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
5. "2022 Sun Belt Men's Soccer Awards and All-Conference Teams Announced". Sun Belt Sports. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
6. "Columbus Crew select two players in first round, three total in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
7. "Columbus Crew 2 signs Midfielder Clay Holstad". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
8. "Clay Holstad - MLS Next Pro". MLS Next Pro. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
9. "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Clay Holstad". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
10. "Clay Holstad 2024 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
11. "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2". USL Championship. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
12. "Rhode Island FC Announces Roster Updates Ahead of 2025 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
13. "JJ Williams discusses his relationship with Clay Holstad". YouTube. Raising Anchor Podcast. 2024.