Former Bloomsburg University Standout Signs Pro Contract

BLOOMSBURG—Some may say Adam Clay looks like a professional soccer player on the field with his magnified curly hair and playmaking capabilities. Those people are now correct in saying so as Clay is now a professional soccer player.

Adam Clay

Clay, who played four-years of varsity soccer at Bloomsburg, recently signed a one-year contract with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League (USL).

Clay played in a developmental league with the Reading Rage last summer and began his journey of landing a position on the City Islanders roster in early January when he attended an open tryout.

“I went to the tryout where they chose eight of us to move on and attend preseason camp,” Clay said. “From there the team made cuts each week of camp and the last day of camp I knew I was making the team or getting cut. Luckily I made the team.”

Moving to the next level is something that Bloomsburg head soccer coach Paul Payne says Clay is very capable of doing. Payne points out that Clay just needs to be himself and keep doing exactly what got him there.

“Adam just needs to use his abilities and not try and be something he's not,” Payne said. “He has a personality when he steps on the field which makes him a lot of fun to watch. I've just told him to play simple and play smart.”

As the 6-1, 175 pound Clay takes his game to the professional level, he notes that he needs to stay focused and stick to the goals he's set out for.

“I'm just taking things one step at a time,” he said. “My first goal was to make the team and I've now done that. My next goal is to get some playing time and do what I can to help the team.”

Clay is well on his way to achieving his second goal as he saw 17 minutes of action in the team's season opener at Cincinnati that resulted in a 0-0 tie.

After being a four-year standout for the Huskies of Bloomsburg scoring 30 career goals, Clay understands his place on his new team as well as the challenge of establishing himself all over again.

“At Bloomsburg I felt as if I'd let myself down if I didn't play well,” he said. “Now that I'm at this next level I want to prove that I'm here for a reason and that I can play at this level.”

As he joins a new team, Clay says he feels real good about being a part of the City Islanders organization and says the team has done a great job welcoming him into the system.

“These guys are all great soccer players and great guys,” he said. “They know what they're doing so a lot of time we'll be at practice and there are guys who have been in the league for up to eight years and they'll help me out aside from just the coaches offering advice.”

With the absence of Clay, Bloomsburg is left with a big void in the line-up but Clay's success can be used as a lure for top prospects interested in playing soccer for the University according to Payne.

“I've never seen a kid want it more than Adam,” Payne said. “I remember one game where Adam lost his shoe and ran 60-yards with one shoe and scored a goal against Lock Haven. I think that when guys see what Adam has been able to do they'll understand more that it's not just the Division I guys playing at the next level, but that Division II is just as highly competitive.”

As Clay acknowledged he has meshed well with his new teammates, he was quick to point out that Bloomsburg will leave a great void for him just as he will for the Huskies.

“I'll definitely miss the games and being on the team with everybody,” he said. “You never get to be with a group of guys for four years. It's the atmosphere, playing games and being with the same group of guys everyday that I'll miss the most.”

The City Islanders next game is Friday at Wilmington as they square off with the Hammerheads.