photo: Steven Christy/OKC Energy FC

When team captain Rob Valentino went down with an injury 35 minutes into the match against the FC Dallas Reserves last Wednesday, Defender Justin Clark entered the game and was expected to perform.

Despite only appearing in one match in 2014 prior to facing Dallas, the third-year professional defender showed veteran tendencies in the remaining 55 minutes.

“He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities at this level. He’s been in and around the squad, and been on the bench an awful lot,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “But he did very well. He acquainted himself well in very difficult situations because the wind was atrocious. Wednesday is another opportunity for him to prove himself.”

After the match, Valentino’s injury was described as a freak accident and would keep the former New England Revolution defender on the sideline for at least another two weeks, meaning Clark would have to continue to fill the void.

“It’s always a blow when you lose one of your dependable players, and that’s what Rob’s become,” Heath said. “He’s a very important and integral part of our team, but these things happen. It’s an occupational hazard, but now it’s an opportunity for Justin Clark to continue to prove himself.”

For Clark, the task of filling in for one of City’s more reliable players is something that he’s been preparing for all along. The Rollins College alum has been spending time working on his match fitness and getting more touches on the ball using the boards at the training ground, but has also been observing each game intensely.

“You always have to stay focused on the bench,” Clark said. “When you’re watching the game, you kind of see how it’s going and how things are happening on field, which will make it easier when you go out onto the pitch.”

Heath praised Clark’s athleticism and said going forward the young center-half has to continue to use his athletic ability as well as his speed, while Valentino noted Clark was a big reason why the team secured six points during last week’s road trip.

“Clark’s a great player and a great competitor,” Valentino added. “You saw what he did these past two games for us. Anyone on this team can play. It’s a tough squad, and he’s waited his time. Unfortunately for myself, I had an injury, but he’s a perfect replacement.”