The San Jose Earthquakes began building the foundations of a solid defense in this year's expansion draft. Going first to the league's newest team was Houston Dynamo center back Ryan Cochrane, and San Jose coach Frank Yallop followed that up with the second pick when he chose FC Dallas center back Clarence Goodson.
Named the club's defender of the year in 2007, the 6-foot-4 Goodson has played four seasons in MLS, all with FCD. He started 27 games for the Hoops and had one goal and one assist. He was originally the seventh overall pick by FCD in the 2004 Super Draft and just finished arguably his best season as a professional.
"Once I saw he was in the pool of unprotected players, it's not shocking that they would pick him," said FCD center back Alex Yi. "I'm definitely disappointed in losing Clarence (Goodson) for this organization. He's a friend that I've known for a really long time. I'm disappointed but all you can do is wish him the best of luck.
His departure leaves a hole in the Hoops backline that could prove to be a tough vacancy to fill but head coach Steve Morrow has several months to address any personnel issues his side might have in the back. But that doesn't mean that a number of his teammates won't miss having Goodson in the fold once preseason commences in February of next year.
"It's great for him and we wish him all the best," said forward Abe Thompson, who has played alongside his longtime friend at four different levels of competition. "I'm disappointed because he's a great friend of mine and we lived together. Obviously, it won't be the last time I will see him. I wish him all the best out in San Jose and know he'll do fine there."
At times over the 2007 campaign, both Drew Moor and Yi played alongside Goodson at center back and they'll both miss playing with their now ex-teammate.
"I'm disappointed and was sad to see him go," Moor said. "We didn't get to play together enough at center back but he was a great teammate and also a great friend. He was somebody that I respected so much and I'm going to miss him. I was probably most comfortable with him when he was back there."
Yi added: "He was such a big part of our team and of our back line. He's someone that I will miss playing with. We have played together for the past four seasons. It's tough moving forward but I'm sure we'll have the necessary pieces to get by."
Thompson admits that considering how close he and Goodson are, playing against him once FCD and San Jose face off for the first time will be a new experience for both.
"It won't be too weird not having him around," Thompson said. "When we go home (to Virginia), he lives 15 minutes away, so I can see him then. This will be the first time that we are on the same level and on different teams playing against each other. That will be fun. We've always had fun competing against each other. It will be a little weird at first but we have to move on."
Moor knows that Goodson's absence means that the FCD backline that takes the field in 2008 will likely look markedly different than the unit that hit the pitch last year and surrendered 44 goals, seventh-most in MLS.
"I was definitely not surprised to see San Jose take him (Goodson) once he was left unprotected. It's a smart move for him because he's coming off a fantastic year," Moor said. "All three years he was here, he had fantastic years. He's going to be a great person to have on a team that's just starting because he's got a great attitude and is very positive. I wish him well because he taught me a lot and hopefully, we taught each other a lot."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
