FC Wichita midfielder Matt Clare has been selected as the sixteenth Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2017 NPSL season.
“I want to take this time to thank everybody for the award: my teammates, the coaching staff, the front office, the organization as a whole,” Clare commented. “Without you, none of this is possible. As a player, it means a lot to me to receive the award and get the recognition for having a good week. The award is really for the team and all the hard work that everyone has put in.”
Clare scored four goals on the weekend, tallying a brace against both Demize NPSL and Tulsa Athletic.
“We were all very excited about Matt’s return to play in Wichita once again for the 2017 season,” FC Wichita Manager Larry Inlow added. “In 2015, I was the head coach of FC Wichita and had the privilege of coaching Matt. His leadership and abilities were an asset then and they certainly are now. The City of Wichita and the FC Wichita family are very excited for Matt to receive this honor and we are delighted to see all his hard work get recognized.”
As the son of a former pro, Clare has been in a professional soccer environment his entire life. At the age of 15 he moved away from home and into the residential IMG Academy. During 2005/2006 Clare was called up to residency with the U.S. National Team. With his pedigree and résumé, he quickly became a professional prospect.
Clare is best known for his time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he won the 2012 NASL Championship. He spent a total of three season with the Rowdies, playing in 21 games and registering 11 goals and four assists. He has also spent time with the Wilmington Hammerheads, Norfolk SharX, Syracuse Silver Knights, Wichita Wings, Wichita B-52s, San Diego Sockers, and Albion SC PROS.
“Matt has always been a perfect fit for this city,” FC Wichita CEO Blake Shumaker concluded. “He always works hard and never settles for anything but his best. He coaches in the youth community and enjoys doing private lessons for local players. There’s not much more we could expect from a guy, he’s class on and off the field. We are all very happy for him and the club.”
The winner of this national honor is determined by a vote of media members from across the country. It is awarded every week during the regular season.
