After making his name in the MLS with Metrostars, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo, Clark made his much-anticipated move to European football when he sealed a move to Germany's top-flight last summer.

He has the speed and trickery to test the best of defences and proved his worth in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring a significant winning goal against Trinidad & Tobago, the country where his father Lancelot was born.

His long-range shooting could be a useful weapon for USA in South Africa this summer and it seems he is confident of success. "There are no favourites this time as playing the World Cup in Africa will be a new experience for all the teams," he said. "We did well in the Confederations Cup in the stadiums being used for this tournament, so let's believe in ourselves."

Strengths: A solid defensive midfielder with a rocket foot.

Weaknesses: Can sometimes get too emotional on the field.

Career high: His strike in the 62nd minute gave the U.S. a 1-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup qualifier in September.

Career low: Back in October '07, MLS slapped Clark with a nine-game suspension and a $10,000 fine after he kicked Carlos Ruiz of FC Dallas while he was on the ground. Clark accused Ruiz of kneeing him in the back on a corner kick.

Style: A high-energy player who never backs down and a ferocious tackler.

Quotes: "Throughout the whole game, Landon [Donovan] had been going down the line, and that cutback was on. Landon spotted me, and it was good timing and I let it rip." -- Clark on his game-winning goal against Trinidad & Tobago.

Trivia: Bob Marley is one of Clark's favorite musicians.

Soccernet says: Clark looks like the starting defensive midfielder. However, watch out if Edu regains his form.