Perspectives From the Pitch: Introducing Clay Dimick
The Charlotte Independence defender is sharing his experience as a husband, father and professional soccer player
Perspectives From the Pitch is a new section of Touchline Talk featuring pieces written by players themselves discussing what playing the sport at the highest level looks like and providing insight into who they are as people.
My name is Clay Dimick, and I am a 27-year-old professional soccer player. I am in my fourth year as a pro and my fourth year with the Charlotte Independence in the United Soccer League. Now, in my fourth year with the Independence, I am the captain of the team and play anywhere in the backline or defense of the team.
My journey to get where I am now has been a road full of lessons, trials and experiences that have shaped who I am as a player and person today. As a kid, I fell in love with the game at an early age in Marietta, Georgia. I had great club coaches and teammates that made my process of loving the game easy. I am always thankful for my early years in the game.
From there, I played club soccer in Georgia at a high level and would go on to be recruited to play in college. But unlike many professional players from America, the school I chose was a small private Division II school in North Carolina. I chose this school because the most important thing to me was to develop as a player and person from freshman year until I graduated. At Belmont Abbey, I was able to do this and leave after four years a better player and person than when I arrived.
Following college, I signed with the Charlotte Independence and have been making a living while fulfilling my dream for four years now. My wife, 7-month-old son and I have loved the journey the game has given us and are excited to now take you all along with us from here on. As readers, you can expect me to dive into anything on the field, off the field, family perspectives and much more. I will keep it honest and open with you all so you can truly get a feel for myself and my life inside the pitch and at home as a husband and father.
I look forward to this journey,
Clay Dimick #17