# Clint Irwin
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Clint_Irwin
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Clint_Irwin.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Irwin
> Source revision: 1333974166
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{short description|American soccer player (born 1989)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Clint Irwin
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Clinton Robert Irwin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|4|1}}
| birth_place = [Charlotte, North Carolina](/source/Charlotte%2C_North_Carolina), United States
| height = {{convert|1.91|m|order=flip}}[{{cite web |title=Clint Irwin |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/players/clint-irwin/ |access-date=22 August 2022 |publisher=Colorado Rapids}}]
| position = [Goalkeeper](/source/Goalkeeper_(association_football))
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Charlotte United
| collegeyears1 = 2007–2010
| college1 = [Elon Phoenix](/source/Elon_Phoenix_men's_soccer)
| collegecaps1 = 54
| collegegoals1 = 0
| years1 = 2008–2009
| clubs1 = [Carolina Dynamo](/source/North_Carolina_Fusion_U23)
| caps1 = 8
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = [Capital City](/source/Capital_City_F.C.)
| caps2 = 18
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = [Charlotte Eagles](/source/Charlotte_Eagles)
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2013–2015
| clubs4 = [Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids)
| caps4 = 89
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016–2018
| clubs5 = [Toronto FC](/source/Toronto_FC)
| caps5 = 32
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2016
| clubs6 = [Toronto FC II](/source/Toronto_FC_II)
| caps6 = 2
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019–2022
| clubs7 = [Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids)
| caps7 = 16
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2019
| clubs8 = → [Colorado Springs Switchbacks](/source/Colorado_Springs_Switchbacks_FC) (loan)
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2022
| clubs9 = [Colorado Rapids 2](/source/Colorado_Rapids_2)
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = [Minnesota United](/source/Minnesota_United_FC)
| caps10 = 9
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2024
| clubs11 = [Minnesota United 2](/source/Minnesota_United_FC_2)
| caps11 = 5
| goals11 = 0
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = October 20, 2024
| nationalteam-update =
}}
'''Clinton Robert Irwin''' (born April 1, 1989) is an American professional [soccer](/source/Association_football) player who plays as a [goalkeeper](/source/Goalkeeper_(association_football)).
==Early life==
Irwin attended high school at [Charlotte Christian School](/source/Charlotte_Christian_School). As a student, he played basketball, where he was a teammate of future [NBA](/source/National_Basketball_Association) player [Stephen Curry](/source/Stephen_Curry).[{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/steph-curry-nba-all-star-game-golden-state-warriors-toronto-fc-tfc-mls-major-league-soccer-clint-irwin//|title=TFC's Irwin: Curry 'unbelievably skilled' as high schooler|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|author=John Molinaro|date=February 12, 2016}}]
Irwin attended [Elon University](/source/Elon_University), where he made 54 appearances for the [Elon Phoenix](/source/Elon_Phoenix_men's_soccer) over four seasons.[{{cite web|title= Clint Irwin - 2010 Men's Soccer|url= http://elonphoenix.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=123&path=msoc|publisher= Elon University|accessdate= 1 September 2016}}]
==Club career==
=== Early career ===
While attending university, Irwin played two seasons with [USL Premier Development Division](/source/USL_Premier_Development_League) club [Carolina Dynamo](/source/North_Carolina_Fusion_U23).[{{cite web|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/clinton-irwin/|title=Clint Irwin at SoccerStats.us|website=SoccerStats.us|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}]
After his time at Elon, Irwin joined [Capital City](/source/Capital_City_F.C.) of the [Canadian Soccer League](/source/Canadian_Soccer_League) for the 2011 season and was named the team captain.[{{Cite news |date=29 April 2011 |title=Sports Flashes - Capital City Net Players |work=[Ottawa Sun](/source/Ottawa_Sun)}}][{{Cite news |last=Starnes |first=Richard |date=20 May 2011 |title=Capital City success will come by committee; Team kicks off CSL season tonight |work=[Ottawa Citizen](/source/Ottawa_Citizen) |pages=B5}}] Irwin made 22 appearances for Capital City and scored a goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with [Windsor Stars](/source/Windsor_Stars).[{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports11/11csl096.htm|title=July 16, 2011 CSL--details of Saturday games (from CSL website)|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|language=en|access-date=July 10, 2017}}] He would help the Ottawa-based club secure a playoff berth by finishing third in the league's first division.[{{Cite news |date=6 October 2011 |title=Capital City wins out |work=Nepean Barrhaven EMC |pages=27}}] Ottawa defeated [Montreal Impact's academy team](/source/CF_Montr%C3%A9al_Academy) in the quarterfinal round.[{{Cite news |last=Desaulniers |first=Darren |date=17 October 2011 |title=Surviving the Impact; Capital City FC advances into CSL semifinals |work=[Ottawa Citizen](/source/Ottawa_Citizen) |pages=B6}}] In the next round, Ottawa defeated the [Serbian White Eagles](/source/Serbian_White_Eagles_FC) to advance to the championship final.[{{Cite news |last=Desaulniers |first=Darren |date=24 October 2011 |title=Headed for the final; Capital City FC advances to Canadian Soccer League title game |work=[Ottawa Citizen](/source/Ottawa_Citizen) |pages=C5}}] Ottawa would face [Toronto Croatia](/source/Toronto_Croatia) in the [championship final](/source/Canadian_Soccer_League_championship_final) and were defeated by Toronto.[{{Cite news |last=Barrs |first=Rory |date=30 October 2011 |title=Just one goal short for Capital City FC; First-year team loses CSL final |work=[Ottawa Citizen](/source/Ottawa_Citizen) |pages=C1}}] After the conclusion of the season, Irwin was nominated for the [league's best goalkeeper award](/source/Canadian_Soccer_League_Awards).[{{Cite news |date=16 November 2011 |title=City FC Rookie Nets Award |work=[Ottawa Citizen](/source/Ottawa_Citizen)}}]
=== United States ===
Following his stint with Capital City, Irwin joined his hometown club, the [Charlotte Eagles](/source/Charlotte_Eagles) in the [USL Professional Division](/source/USL_Championship). On July 6, 2012, Irwin made his debut in a 2–0 win over the [Charleston Battery](/source/Charleston_Battery)[{{cite web|title=Eagles Get Past Battery|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72011+Elements/Display+E+47116+News/Display/+22311+43140329+10306|work=uslsoccer.com|publisher=United Soccer Leagues|accessdate=22 February 2013|date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412021851/http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72011+Elements/Display+E+47116+News/Display/+22311+43140329+10306|archive-date=12 April 2013|url-status=dead}}]
In February 2013, Irwin signed with [Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer) club [Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids) after a successful trial in preseason.[{{cite web|title=Rapids sign goalkeeper Clint Irwin and defender Kory Kindle|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/02/rapids-sign-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-and-defender-kory-kindle|website=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids Media Relations|accessdate=22 February 2013|date=21 February 2013|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203184755/http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/02/rapids-sign-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-and-defender-kory-kindle|url-status=dead}}] He made his debut for the club on March 16 in 1–1 draw against [Real Salt Lake](/source/Real_Salt_Lake), coming on as a 7th-minute substitute for [Matt Pickens](/source/Matt_Pickens).[{{cite web |title=Real Salt Lake 1-1 Colorado Rapids |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/16/united-states/mls/real-salt-lake/colorado-rapids/1433133/ |website=Soccerway}}]
=== Toronto FC ===
Following the [2015 season](/source/2015_Major_League_Soccer_season), in February 2016, Irwin was traded to [Toronto FC](/source/Toronto_FC) in exchange for targeted allocation money, a third-round pick in the [2016 MLS SuperDraft](/source/2016_MLS_SuperDraft) and a conditional first-round pick in the [2017 MLS SuperDraft](/source/2017_MLS_SuperDraft).[{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/01/18/toronto-fc-acquire-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-colorado-rapids-targeted-allocation-money|title=Toronto FC acquire goalkeeper Clint Irwin from Colorado Rapids for targeted allocation money, draft picks|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|author=Nicholas Rosano|date=January 18, 2016}}] After featuring as the club's starting goalkeeper for the first part of the season, Irwin sustained in injury in July, and as a result, he was replaced by his deputy [Alex Bono](/source/Alex_Bono) in the starting line-up by manager [Greg Vanney](/source/Greg_Vanney);[{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/02/alex-bono-takes-reins-net-toronto-deal-clint-irwins-injury|title=Alex Bono takes the reins in net as Toronto deal with Clint Irwin's injury|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|author1=James Grossi|date=July 2, 2016|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}] Upon his return to action, Irwin later regained the starting spot for the remainder of the [regular season](/source/2016_MLS_season) and the [Playoffs](/source/2016_MLS_Cup_Playoffs),[{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2017/08/10/alex-bono-has-grabbed-his-chance-as-tfcs-keeper.html|title=Alex Bono has grabbed his chance as TFC's keeper|website=thestar.com|publisher=The Toronto Star|author1=Laura Armstrong|date=August 10, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}] as Toronto went on to reach the [2016 MLS Cup Final](/source/MLS_Cup_2016). In the final, held at [BMO Field](/source/BMO_Field) on December 10, Toronto were defeated by [Seattle Sounders FC](/source/Seattle_Sounders_FC) 5–4 on penalties, following a 0–0 draw after extra time; Irwin was able to stop [Álvaro Fernández](/source/%C3%81lvaro_Fern%C3%A1ndez_(Uruguayan_footballer))'s spot kick during the shootout, but misses from teammates [Michael Bradley](/source/Michael_Bradley_(soccer)) and [Justin Morrow](/source/Justin_Morrow) ultimately proved to be decisive.[{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=468711|title=Seattle Sounders beat Toronto FC on penalties to win 2016 MLS Cup|website=espnfc.com|publisher=ESPN FC|date=December 10, 2016|accessdate=December 11, 2016}}] On December 13, 2016, Irwin was selected by [Atlanta United FC](/source/Atlanta_United_FC) in the third round of the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft, but was immediately traded back to Toronto for [Mark Bloom](/source/Mark_Bloom) and allocation money.[{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/12/watch-2016-mls-expansion-draft-tuesday-2-pm-et|title=Atlanta United, Minnesota United FC add five players in MLS Expansion Draft|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=December 12, 2016}}]
The [following season](/source/2017_MLS_season), Irwin suffered a hamstring injury in Toronto FC's home opener, a 0–0 draw against [Sporting Kansas City](/source/Sporting_Kansas_City); as a result, Bono was once again promoted to the starting line-up in Irwin's absence,[{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc-clint-irwin-injury-status-1.4051868|title=Toronto FC goalkeeper Irwin out 4-5 weeks with hamstring injury|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC Sports|author1=Neil Davidson|date=April 2, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}] and eventually established himself as the team's outright first-choice shot-stopper by September 2017, due to his performances, even after Irwin's return from injury.[{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc-alex-bono-1.4420538|title=TFC's Alex Bono unfazed by challenges on and off the pitch|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC Sports|author1=Chicco Nacion|date=November 28, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/04/character-confidence-propel-tfcs-alex-bono-no-1-job-mls-cup-start|title=Character, confidence propel TFC's Alex Bono to No. 1 job, MLS Cup start|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|author1=James Grossi|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2017/12/06/mls-cup-features-two-of-the-leagues-best-goalkeepers.html|title=MLS Cup features two of the league's best goalkeepers|website=thestar.com|publisher=The Toronto Star|author1=Laura Armstrong|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/mls-cup-final-seattle-sounders-toronto-fc-1.4439250|title=Tale of the tape: Toronto FC seeks redemption in MLS Cup rematch|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC Sports|author1=Chicco Nacion|date=December 9, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}] In a rematch of the previous season's MLS Cup Final, on December 9, Toronto defeated Seattle 2–0 at home to capture the [2017 MLS Cup](/source/MLS_Cup_2017) and complete an unprecedented treble of the MLS Cup, the [Supporters' Shield](/source/Supporters'_Shield), and the [Canadian Championship](/source/2017_Canadian_Championship).[{{cite web|url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2017-12-09-toronto-fc-vs-seattle-sounders-fc|title=Recap: Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=December 9, 2017|accessdate=December 9, 2017}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2017/12/09/toronto-fc-captures-mls-cup.html|title=Toronto FC captures MLS Cup|website=thestar.com|publisher=The Toronto Star|author1=Laura Armstrong|date=December 9, 2017|accessdate=December 10, 2017}}]
=== MLS ===
On December 14, 2018, Irwin was traded back to the [Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids) in exchange for a second-round pick in the [2019 MLS SuperDraft](/source/2019_MLS_SuperDraft).[{{cite news |last1=Boniface |first1=Daniel |title=Clint Irwin returns to Colorado Rapids via trade |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/14/clint-irwin-trade-colorado-rapids/ |access-date=May 29, 2021 |work=[The Denver Post](/source/The_Denver_Post) |date=December 14, 2018}}] He spent the [2019 season](/source/2019_Major_League_Soccer_season) as the backup to former [United States](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team) international [Tim Howard](/source/Tim_Howard).[{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Liam |title=Why Clint Irwin deserves to be the Rapids' starting goalkeeper |url=https://www.burgundywave.com/2020/5/12/21256494/why-clint-irwin-deserves-to-be-the-rapids-starting-goalkeeper |access-date=May 29, 2021 |work=Burgundy Wave |date=May 12, 2020}}] Irwin's contract with Colorado expired following the 2022 season.[{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/who-s-in-who-s-out-mls-clubs-announce-roster-decisions-following-2022-season|title=Who's in, who's out? Gyasi Zardes' future uncertain at Colorado Rapids | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}]
On December 6, 2022, [Minnesota United FC](/source/Minnesota_United_FC) announced it had signed Irwin to a two-year contract, beginning in 2023, in support of starting goalkeeper, [Dayne St. Clair](/source/Dayne_St._Clair).[{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/minnesota-united-sign-goalkeeper-clint-irwin-in-free-agency|title=Minnesota United sign goalkeeper Clint Irwin in free agency | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}]
==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|match played October 9, 2022}}[{{Soccerway|clinton-irwin/236972|accessdate=September 1, 2016}}][{{MLS player|clint-irwin}}][
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|Playoffs
!colspan=2|National cup
!colspan=2|Continental
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan=3|[Carolina Dynamo](/source/North_Carolina_Fusion_U23)
|[2008](/source/2008_PDL_season)
|[Premier Development League](/source/USL_League_Two)||4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0
|-
|[2009](/source/2009_PDL_season)
|[Premier Development League](/source/USL_League_Two)||4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!8||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||8||0
|-
|rowspan=1|[Capital City](/source/Capital_City_F.C.)
|[2011](/source/2011_Canadian_Soccer_League_season)
|[Canadian Soccer League](/source/Canadian_Soccer_League)||18||1||4{{efn|name=csl|Appearances in [CSL Championship](/source/Canadian_Soccer_League_championship_final)}}||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||22||1
|-
|rowspan=1|[Charlotte Eagles](/source/Charlotte_Eagles)
|[2012](/source/2012_Charlotte_Eagles_season)
|[USL Pro](/source/USL_Championship)||3||0||colspan=2|—||3||0||colspan=2|—||6||0
|-
|rowspan=4|[Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids)
|[2013](/source/2013_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||32||0||1{{efn|name=mls|Appearances in [MLS Cup](/source/MLS_Cup) playoffs}}||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||34||0
|-
|[2014](/source/2014_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||26||0||colspan=2|—||2||0||colspan=2|—||28||0
|-
|[2015](/source/2015_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||31||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||31||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!89||0||1||0||3||0||0||0||93||0
|-
|rowspan=4|[Toronto FC](/source/Toronto_FC)
|[2016](/source/2016_Toronto_FC_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||19||0||6{{efn|name=mls}}||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||28||0
|-
|[2017](/source/2017_Toronto_FC_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||6||0||colspan=2|—||4||0||colspan=2|—||10||0
|-
|[2018](/source/2018_Toronto_FC_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||7||0||colspan=2|—||4||0||0||0||11||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!32||0||6||0||11||0||0||0||49||0
|-
|rowspan=1|[Toronto FC II](/source/Toronto_FC_II) (loan)
|[2016](/source/2016_Toronto_FC_II_season)
|[United Soccer League](/source/USL_Championship)||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2||0
|-
|rowspan=5|[Colorado Rapids](/source/Colorado_Rapids)
|[2019](/source/2019_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||11||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||colspan=2|—||12||0
|-
|[2020](/source/2020_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0
|-
|[2021](/source/2021_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||1||0
|-
|[2022](/source/2022_Colorado_Rapids_season)
|[Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer)||0||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||colspan=2|—||1||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!16||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|rowspan=1|[Colorado Springs Switchbacks](/source/Colorado_Springs_Switchbacks_FC) (loan)
|[2019](/source/2019_Colorado_Springs_Switchbacks_FC_season)
|[USL Championship](/source/USL_Championship)||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3||0
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!171||1||11||0||19||0||0||0||201||1
|}
{{Notelist}}
==Honors==
'''Toronto FC'''
* [MLS Cup](/source/MLS_Cup): [2017](/source/MLS_Cup_2017)][
* [Supporters' Shield](/source/Supporters'_Shield): [2017](/source/2017_Major_League_Soccer_season)
* [Canadian Championship](/source/Canadian_Championship): [2016](/source/2016_Canadian_Championship), [2017](/source/2017_Canadian_Championship), [2018](/source/2018_Canadian_Championship)
'''Capital City FC'''
* [CSL Championship](/source/Canadian_Soccer_League_championship_final) Runners-up: [2011](/source/2011_Canadian_Soccer_League_season)]