Rico Back in the Picture?

Just watched Ricardo Clark go the full 90 for Frankfurt in their 1-0 win over Bundesliga wrecking ball Borussia Dortmund. Considering how long it's been since he played any significant minutes, he didn't look half bad playing as a dedicated d-mid holding in front of a back four. In fact, he had his team's two best attempts on goal in the first half, a diving header from a corner that went just wide of the post and a blast from distance that also went wide.

But the biggest thing I noticed was how restrained his tackling was. I wonder if that's what's taken him so long to break into the first team at Frankfurt: being disciplined in his tackling? Given the number of cards he's picked up for the USMNT as a result of rash tackles, that might be a positive change to his game. Also, with Jermaine Jones in reserve-team exile at Schalke, I wonder if Clark's featuring regularly with Frankfurt puts him back into the frame for a regular role alongside Bradley in the center of midfield.

There will be those that moan at this, but I've always liked Clark as a player; he was always just too reckless. If he's had that drummed out of him...?

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