Clint Irwin's Rapids Profile

Former Elon men's soccer and current Colorado Rapids keeper Clint Irwin is making the most of his first season at the Major League Soccer level. In his 18 games this season, Irwin has provided the Rapids with outstanding play between the posts and has become one of the top netminders in the MLS. The Charlotte, N.C., native and 2011 Elon graduate recently became only the third keeper in league history to record five shutouts in his first 10 starts, joining two other former All-Stars.
 
Irwin's performance throughout the year has provided some momentum for a potential All-Star nod for himself. He was among the listed goalkeepers in the fan voting for the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 31 in Kansas City, Mo. Elonphoenix.com was able to catch up with the four-time first team All-Southern Conference performer on his 2013 MLS campaign.
 
Describe your experience so far in your first year in the MLS?
 
Clint Irwin: It's all gone by so quickly. I feel like I just signed yesterday even though it was back in February. Overall, it's been a great experience. I couldn't ask for a better atmosphere provided by the club, the players and the coaching staff. Everyone has been positive throughout and results are starting to come after a rough start. The rest of the season looks bright.
 
Talk about your previous experiences with other organizations and leagues that have helped you get to this point in your career.
 
CI: I think the places where I spent the most time helped me to get where I am: Charlotte United FC as a youth player and Elon University in college. Charlotte United enabled me to develop the base for which I was able to progress at Elon. I felt I really became a goalkeeper under the development of Bill Finneyfrock and Eric Hedinger at Charlotte United. When I got to Elon, I learned what it meant to bring my best everyday. (Phoenix head coach) Darren Powell demanded that and really opened my eyes to that sort of pressure and the intensity needed to succeed at the professional level.
 
Take us through the moments when you were asked to step in between the posts in your first MLS game.
 
CI: Well I really didn't have a choice when asked! Matt Pickens went down with a freak, nasty injury against Real Salt Lake about ten minutes in to match. I knew I was going on and just tried to warm up and get up to the pace of the game as quickly as possible.  The players on the field were great in giving me their support and helping us get a good result on the road.


You recently became only the third goalkeeper in MLS history to record five shutouts in your first career starts, joining two former All-Stars. How humbling is it given everything you went through in your pro career to have that recognition and to potentially become an All-Star in your own right this year?
 
CI: It's a great feeling. It feels like a sort of validation to the work and hustle I put in the first couple of years in my career. It's still very early in my career and I want to continue to improve; the focus for me is always winning championships. I want to contribute to the success of the Colorado Rapids. Individual accolades are always the result of the success of the team.
 
What has been your favorite memory from this season so far?
 
CI: The win at home against Real Salt Lake, our Rocky Mountain Cup rival, was a great memory, especially saving a penalty and keeping a clean sheet. Recently, the 4-3 victory at Montreal was a great feeling. Those experiences are always the most memorable, when a team comes together and overcomes adversity and people are scrapping for each other. You get to see what  you and your teammates are made of.
What has been the reaction of some of your former teammates and coaches at Elon on your play this year?
 
CI: Most of them haven't been surprised. I've gotten a few texts of, "It's about time." They saw me play for four seasons so they knew that I had the ability. Their support the past two years has certainly meant a lot and encouraged me, especially when times were tough.
 
How often are you in contact with Coach Powell and how has his advice helped you throughout your career?
 
CI: I speak with Coach Powell about once a week, normally after the weekend's games. He's always encouraging me and keeping tabs. Without his positivity, I don't think I would be where I am now. He's always exhorted me to keep at it. He knows how difficult the road has been, how frustrated I've been, but he constantly reiterated that he believed in me and knew I would eventually get here. I'm deeply thankful for his foresight and his care. There aren't many people or coaches like him.
 
You are one of three former Elon men's soccer alumni currently playing in the MLS and one of five who is playing professionally in the U.S. How huge of a testament is that to the Elon program for future players wanting to pursue a professional career after college?
 
CI: I think it's a great measurement of the success of the program. Not only is the program winning championships and making postseason play, players are able to continue their career.  Any player who's in high school with dreams of playing professionally should be able to tell that Coach Powell and his staff will help prepare you for a professional soccer career. It seems now there are two to three players every year who are able to move on. That doesn't happen at every other program.
 
You have quite a following on Twitter (@ClintIrwin). How much do you enjoy using that social media platform and who are some of your favorites that you follow?
 
CI: I try not to take Twitter to serious. If you do it can make you go crazy, after all it's really just pixels on a screen. But I do follow a lot of my former teammates and it's good to get a bit of banter back and forth between the guys. Otherwise, I follow a wide range of personalities and interests, from music and politics to sport and news. Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) and Brian Phillips (@runofplay) are two who combine all four of those interests into general commentary that's original and compelling.