The reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield holders have shown the rest of the league they mean business today
The San Jose Earthquakes have signed US national team defender Clarence Goodson from Danish side Brondby IF.
Goodson, 31, started off his MLS career with FC Dallas in 2004, before heading to Europe. The central defender played for Norwegian side IK Start, before switching to Danish giants Brondby and becoming their captain.
The Earthquakes acquired Goodson’s MLS rights from FC Dallas back in 2007 but the bearded defender decided to head overseas. However now he’s decided to come back to the USA, San Jose have snapped up the experienced defender.
Goodson will join up with his new team after representing the US national team at this summer’s Gold Cup.
“We’re very excited to have Clarence join us,” said Earthquakes interim head coach Mark Watson. “He brings a lot of experience both in MLS and internationally. He has great leadership qualities and will be a fantastic addition to our back four.”
That brings us to the question of where he will fit into the lineup. Well, Goodson’s experience overseas and in MLS will see him become an automatic starter for San Jose. He should slot in alongside Victor Bernardez, Nana Attakora or Jason Hernandez with ease. And bringing in Goodson does give the rest of the league a timely reminder that the Quakes aren’t giving up on this season, after Frank Yallop departed as head coach earlier this month.
(MORE: Huge shock as Yallop departs as Earthquakes head coach)
Behind the scenes, San Jose’s front office is delighted Goodson has arrived. After all, they did acquire his rights six years ago... so it was about time he showed up!
“Clarence is a World Cup veteran with a wealth of experience in our league, overseas and at the international level,” said Earthquakes GM John Doyle. “He should be a great addition to our team. He’s a good leader, has an excellent character and we’re happy to have him join our club.”
However if the US go all the way to the Gold Cup final Goodson won’t join up with the team for a while. The cerebral defender will have to wait until Aug. 4 to pull on a San Jose jersey, in their home against Chivas USA.
Not matter what way you slice this deal up, San Jose’s defense got a lot stronger today. He is a talker, an organizer, who takes pride in defending and making sure those around him follow suit. Goodson has a big summer coming up, as he aims to oust the young MLS partnership of Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez as starting central defenders for Jurgen Klinsmann’s national team.
(MORE: Goodson picks up Man of the Match in 0-0 tie with Canada)
Goodson started against Belgium in the 4-2 friendly defeat on May, 29 and he also played the full 90 minutes in a snowy Denver when the US defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in World Cup qualifying back in March.
Goodson will anchor the US defense as they aim for Gold Cup success this July, while personally he wants to rubber stamp his ticket on the plane to Brazil 2014. Goodson was part of the US squad at the 2010 World Cup but was an unused sub.
During the Gold Cup, San Jose fans will get a tantalizing look at what they can expect at Buck Shaw for the rest of this season and beyond.