From seeing preseason play earlier this year to sitting out for the first half of the USL PRO season due to injuries, Orlando City Defender Justin Clark saw his first start for the Lions this past weekend against Antigua Barracuda, playing the full 90 minutes.

Orlandocitysoccer.com spoke with the Rollins College product about starting for the first time on Sunday, and how he will approach the Lions’ visit to Sporting Park on Wednesday in the club’s fourth round US Open Cup matchup against Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Sporting Kansas City.

“It was nice to get the opportunity to start (Sunday), most opportunities don’t come around that often,” said Clark. “When they do come around, you have to stand up and be accounted for and take them. It was my first 90 minutes and it was great to be out there.”

The 24-year-old suffered a right quad injury toward the start of the USL PRO season despite seeing playing time in all of Orlando’s preseason matches. With the Lions not being able to field their four on-loan players from Sporting KC Wednesday night, Clark has a strong chance of playing considerable minutes against the MLS side. The defender may just fill that void if Head Coach Adrian Heath gives him the opportunity.

“It will be huge (playing against Sporting KC) if he does give me the start,” Clark continued. “I gotta prepare and play with my strengths. I just have to stay concentrated for 90 minutes.”

The Atlanta, Georgia, native almost converted the opening goal for the Lions on Saturday, heading in a cross from fellow Defender Bryan Burke which saw Antigua Barracuda Goalkeeper Molvin James stop the ball from getting to the back of the net.

Stay tuned to Wednesday’s match, with the outcome resulting in a meeting against the winner of the Chicago Fire/Columbus Crew match in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals.