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There are very few athletes who can leave fans wondering what could have happened if they chose another sport. And Caitlin Clark is one of them.

On Wednesday, USA Network unexpectedly sent social media into a frenzy during its English Premier League coverage when the broadcast suddenly showed some old highlights of the Indiana Fever star playing high school soccer.

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The network was airing Manchester City’s matchup against Crystal Palace and was all set to broadcast the Fever’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks later in the day. So, as a way of crossover promotion, they took the viewers back to Clark’s high school days, and it quickly became one of the funniest moments. Because the network decided to remind everyone that she used to score goals, too.

The clip that they aired featured Caitlin Clark showing off impressive footwork and finishing ability when she was on the Dowling Catholic High School soccer team. But the broadcast took things even further with an unexpected comparison involving Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.

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“I gotta tell you, she looks like the man who’s sitting on the bench today, Erling Haaland,” one broadcaster said.

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Yes, CC did play soccer, but that was only until her sophomore year. When she entered her junior year, she shifted her focus fully to basketball – the sport where she would eventually go on to change the game entirely.

Over the last year, Clark has become one of the few American basketball stars whose popularity regularly spills outside the sport itself. Whether it is NFL players talking about her, celebrities showing up to Fever games, or soccer broadcasters suddenly breaking down her high school highlights, she continues to pull attention from completely different audiences.

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However, for her, the focus right now is on the 2026 WNBA season.

Caitlin Clark and the Fever Look to Bounce Back Against Sparks

Indiana opened its 2026 campaign with a heartbreaking 107-104 loss against the Dallas Wings. But even in defeat, Clark still managed to turn the night into another historic moment.

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The 24-year-old guard finished the game with 20 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, which helped her to become the fastest player in WNBA history to record 1,000+ points, 250+ rebounds, and 250+ assists.

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That performance carried extra significance considering Caitlin Clark missed a significant portion of the 2025 season because of injuries. But while the Fever failed to secure a win in that game, it is still extremely early in the season, and this team is yet to find its footing.

Now, Clark & Co. turns its attention toward Los Angeles in what ESPN’s matchup predictor views as an almost even contest. If this team worked on their defense, something which they lacked in their last game, the outcome could swing in their favor this time.

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But it is worth noting that Caitlin Clark’s health is expected to be closely monitored after she repeatedly headed toward the locker room against Dallas. So the Fever will hope their superstar is fully ready to go as they search for their first win of the new season.

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Ojus Verma

778 Articles

Ojus Verma is a College Basketball and WNBA author at EssentiallySports. As head of the Analysis Desk and a former player with 13 years of experience, he specializes in decoding tactics, player development, and the evolution of rivalries shaping the game. Ojus’ coverage of the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese saga, dating back to their college days, has earned recognition for its balance of insight and context.

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