Apr
09

The Next Level- Alex Clay

Alex Clay
The Next Level: Alex Clay

 

Alexander Clay has emerged from collegiate and PDL player to a professional athlete with USL pro. Clay played soccer for the UAB Blazers from 2021 to 2021 after transferring from the University of Kentucky. A native of Alabama, Clay went on to score 16 goals and recorded 17 assists in 71 matches in his home state. Last year the Ocala Stampede saw Clay help with securing both the South-East Division Championship and the Southern Conference Championship. Clay’s determination and talent has left him winning personal and team titles with both UAB and the Stampede, leaving it only fitting that Alex has won a spot with the newly formed New York Red Bulls II.

This year marked Alex’s first professional debut. The game was against fellow New York USL team, the Rochester Rhinos on March 29.  The match ended as a draw, but gave Alex his first taste of the Next level. Speaking of his debut Alex wrote,” My debut was a great day. I have worked so hard to get to that moment and honestly it still has not really hit me that I made my professional debut. I have just been trying to get better each and every day that I didn’t get the “I have finally made it, time to relax” mentality. I want to keep getting better and move up the ranks.” As for the differences between college/PDL and Pro; Alex said, “there are definitely similarities in the play. I believe the level is more similar to PDL because every person that is playing PDL and also professional is there to better themselves on the field. In college you have that but also have guys not wanting to pursue a soccer career which is completely acceptable.”

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Alex taking on Orlando City pro in the US OPEN CUP for the Ocala Stampede.

 

Alex has made a huge transition from last summer by moving from the southern warm part of the United States to a northern cold metropolis. Even though Alex plays for the New York Red Bull II, he trains and practices in New Jersey like the MLS team. Alex was quick to correct us when we asked him how New York was. Alex said, “I actually train and play games in New Jersey, just like the MLS team does. Things are definitely different up here but I am adjusting well. The Red Bulls organization has really made me feel welcome and continue to help me further my game.”

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Alex’s debut for New York Red Bull II against the Rochester Rhinos.

 

What most people don’t know is that many of the players who break into the professional ranks rely on others for support and inspiration. As for those who inspired Alex, he had several people on his list. “I would have to name a few people of people that have inspired me. One of my UAB teammates and former professional soccer player, Kofi Gyawu, had a huge impact on me continuing my soccer career. He always believed I could play after college and he really led the way for me and inspired me to pursue it. My first club coach, Henry Mpagi, is like a second dad to me. He always knew I had a chance to play professionally and he never gave up on me.” Alex also had several things to say about the Ocala Stampede. Alex Said, “Lastly, the Ocala Stampede organization had a great impact on my career. Every single person in the organization believed in me and I still keep in contact with all the coaches, Cheyne, Mac, Cip. They really wanted us to enjoy ourselves, but also get better every single day. Ocala was a great organization to propel me to the next level. They really challenged me every day to better myself, and they keep you accountable for your actions on the field. I am very grateful for my time I spent there. Even though I was unable to play games due to injury, training and getting back onto the field was easy due to the support of the staff.”

We here at the Ocala Stampede are proud of Alex for getting one step closer to his dream, and putting the work in to get to the Next Level.

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Alex with his Stampede team-mates. Jack Burns, Stephen Walmsley, Kyle Breitmeyer, and Lex Craggs.

 

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