The Forgotten Man: Clarence Goodson

Discussion in 'USA Men' started by arkjayback, Oct 14, 2010.

  1. arkjayback

    arkjayback Member

    Mar 29, 2008
    Le Mars, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He had a play the other night that reminded me of why he's not going anywhere soon, despite all of the young prospects in MLS. There was a play when a Colombian player was running just outside of the penalty box and was looking at putting in a cross. Goodson was running stride for stride with the attacker then slid in to try to block the cross. The player didn't cross it, but Goodson was athletic enough to bounce straight back up from the slide and keep stride with the attacking player.

    A lot of US fans just don't seem to know much about him. He's not your typical 28 year old defender playing in the Norwegian league. Goodson is a very long 6'4" and is basketball athletic. There is a reason he scores on corners. He may end up being more dangerous from set pieces than Gooch and Boca.

    Kaiserslautern, Odense BK of the Danish league, and Gent of the Eredivisie have had offers rejected for Goodson. I can't remember if the team or Goodson rejected the offers, but I think both have rejected offers. They are being rejected because his contract runs out this winter and he is trying to shop around like Onyewu did in 2009. Look for Goodson to land at a club that no one expects right now. With his talent, athleticism, and no transfer fee he should find a club in one of the top 5 leagues or a top half team in a second-tier league (Gent would have been a good destination for him by that standard).

    With new experience against better teams (possibly playing in Europe) and incredible athleticsm, he may hang around longer than most fans expect. Gonzalez, Ream, and Opara are all great prospects. To get playing time, they will really have to overperform to take Goodson's spot.
     
  2. Grogtank

    Grogtank Member

    Sep 5, 2009
    Vegas Baby
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I still believe he is our best CB at the moment. He wins everything in the air. He is confident and competent on the ball. Surprisingly quick for a big guy. Fearlessly attacks balls on set plays. He seems like a smart guy too which could help him further develop tactically with the right club.

    Ream, Gonzalez and Opara may be competing with Gooch and Parkhurst for a spot before long.
     
  3. CplDaniel

    CplDaniel Member

    Jul 2, 2009
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I like Goodson. In the run-up to South Africa, I remember seeing him play and thinking that he was a good 1-for-1 replacement for Gooch.
     
  4. Wessoman

    Wessoman Member+

    Sep 26, 2005
    Austin, TX
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree with arkjayback. Since Gooch no longer plays regularly, Goodson has emerged to be our defacto starting CB. The one thing about our performance against Colombia is that our defense actually looked superb. Even when we were getting shelled, we were composed and relaxed out there, and the Colombians were getting quite frustrated. This was mostly the work of Lichaj and Goodson.

    However, there are two points I have to make-

    First, the reason why Clarence has been turning down contracts is because his rights are owned by the San Jose Earthquakes. Clarence can shop for a club comfortably, knowing that he has an MLS team waiting (And the idea of a Goodson/Opara central defense for the Quakes sounds awesome!) in the wings. He will just let his contract run out and get the best offer during the winter transfer window, and has leverage for a renewed contract with Start.

    Secondly- At Start, he will have the winter break and be able to attend Camp Cupcake. Just like Kljestan's trial with Celtic, a good Camp Cupcake performance can get more interest churned up. This also helps the USMNT as Goodson will also get to pair with a likely MLS partner in Opara or Gonzalez- Which may cement a starting role for the Gold Cup.

    Judging by those factors, Goodson has a great position to be a real breakout player for the US. With a comfortable club situation and guaranteed USMNT fixtures, Goodson can just hold out for huge offers from large clubs- significantly better than Odense, Kaiserslautern, or Gent. I will put money down, right now, that next year, Goodson plays in England or for a bigger club in Germany or Holland.
     
  5. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    i absolutely loved that play. the ability to slide and immediately bounce up to add pressure is not an easy feat to do.

    Goodson should have been one of our starting CB's in the WC. He was clearly our most consistent one leading up to the WC. Hopefully Bob recognizes that and we'll see him leading to and in the Gold Cup
     
  6. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Goodson is this cycle's version of the Greg Berhalter (circa 2002). A quality, experienced pro who can start when needed, or be a very valuable sub off the bench. I'm not sure he should be annointed as the US's best CB, but he belongs on the squad and I'm glad he's around.
     
  7. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    IK Start turned down transfer bids from Gent and Odense. They accepted a bid from Kaiserslautern, but Goodson nixed that transfer because they only wanted him as a backup.

    IIRC, it's understood that Goodson won't be returning to Start. Especially as a free transfer, he'll have plenty of interested parties and I'm quite confident that he'll be moving up in the world.
     
  8. ChrisSSBB

    ChrisSSBB Member+

    Jun 22, 2005
    DE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I thought he played well and also got a kick out of how quickly he was back on his feet and moving after his slide. That's a lot of down and up for a guy his height.
     
  9. DaPrince84

    DaPrince84 Member+

    Aug 22, 2001
    MD
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    ive liked Goodson since I saw him again at the Gold Cup last year

    I liked how he played with the ball on his feet, was always looking to pass and did show some good technique even in tricky situations
     
  10. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
  11. arkjayback

    arkjayback Member

    Mar 29, 2008
    Le Mars, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bob hates to makes wholesale changes and focuses on continuity. Right now he is trying to find the best place for Jones, Holden, and Edu. A lot of time players get their chances because of injuries: Davies at the Confed Cup, Spector at the Confed Cup, Findley after Davies, etc.

    Its hard to take the team captain or the American player employed by the most prestigious club out of the lineup. This may be a thing where Goodson's chance comes by way of injury, total lack of playing time (Gooch), or age (Boca). Still, Goodson isn't going to be dropping off of the roster any time soon and it seems like only a matter of time before he becomes a starter (he's already basically #3).
     
  12. Grogtank

    Grogtank Member

    Sep 5, 2009
    Vegas Baby
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Har Har
     
  13. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    His most coherent post in ages... :D
     
  14. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    Very good player and suprisingly has gotten much better while in Norway. Hope to see him land at a nice team in the Dutch or German league. He could definitely be a starter at the Gold Cup.
     
  15. Absolute

    Absolute BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 18, 2007
    Green Hell
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I like Goodson as well.
     
  16. bungadiri

    bungadiri Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jan 25, 2002
    Acnestia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think Goodson might have a step on Berhalter in his prime.
     
  17. TabLalas

    TabLalas Member+

    Mar 29, 2007
    Jersey
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If you look at all of his performances in a U.S jersey they've all been very solid, the guy never embarrasses himself or is out of position and that's something that is gonna get you called in time and time again for this team, just ask Brian Ching or Pablo Mastroeni.
    I've always been a fan of the guy and hoped that he would be the one to spell Gooch because of his solid play against the Czech's and Turks.
    I think he'll be one of our starting CB's next summer for the Gold Cup.
     
  18. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Maybe, but that is speculative. Berhalter was a long-time starter in the Dutch League, which rates better than Norway's League, both then and now. I think the professional career favors Berhalter so far.

    And Berhalter really was an unsung hero in 2002, stepping in for Agoos and stabilizing the US defense in their run to the Quarterfinals.

    So, by saying that I think Goodson could be like Berhalter in 2002, I feel like I'm paying Goodson a compliment.
     
  19. bungadiri

    bungadiri Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jan 25, 2002
    Acnestia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Oh I was and am a Berhalter fan (fellow Tarheel and all that). I meant that Goodson looks a tad faster than Greg in his prime.
     
  20. arkjayback

    arkjayback Member

    Mar 29, 2008
    Le Mars, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Probably more than a tad. He's an athletic freak for his size in soccer. That's athleticism is hwat makes him so different. His athleticism can keep him in the national team picture for at least the next couple years. If he continues to refine his skills by signing with a better club in the winter, then being in Brazil in 2014 becomes a more likely possibility for him.
     
  21. fingersave

    fingersave Member

    Sep 28, 2009
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The guy always shows up. He plays with intention and hunger. He does well cleaning up messes, and he's tough to beat in the air. Goodson is just entering his prime, so he should have several good years in front of him.
     
  22. giffenbone

    giffenbone Member

    Jan 22, 2006
    Raleigh, NC
    I'm high on Goodson too. Just for the record. In case anyone cares :p
     
  23. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, I like Goodson as well, but I wouldn't compare him to Berhalter yet.

    In addition to playing '94-'2000 in Holland, Berhalter played 2002-'09 in Germany (not always Bundesliga, but some was).

    I'll take that resume over IK Start to this point.
     
  24. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    Gregg spent the 2002-03 season with Energie Cottbus in Bundesliga (23 matches, 6 yellows).

    Cottbus was relegated that season and Gregg spent three more years with them (6 goals in 2003-04!)

    When Cottbus was promoted in 2006, Gregg decided to switch to TSV 1860 and spent almost 3 more years there.

    Total - 18 Bundesliga II goals, 36 yellows, 3 reds.
     
  25. Wessoman

    Wessoman Member+

    Sep 26, 2005
    Austin, TX
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Actually, I would compare the two. But it's not fair to compare Berhalter's total career. Goodson is 28, so we must cut off Berhalter's resume at 2001. This is interesting because when you look at the numbers, on paper Berhalter and Goodson are about equal at this point in their career, and both gentlmen got rooted in the National Team pool around the age of 26. Berhalter's career took off when he was 28, ironically, Goodson's career seems poised to do the exact same thing.

    I agree with Arkjayback and say that Goodson is considerably more athletic than Berhalter.
     

Share This Page