Player Bio

Clarence Goodson

U.S. National Team: MNT
Position: Defender
Date Of Birth: May 17, 1982
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
Club: Brondby (Denmark)

Tall and agile, Goodson has proven to be a more than capable member of the U.S. depth chart in the back. Beginning with his solid presence in the run up to the 2009 Gold Cup final, his consistent performances earned him a spot on the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He went on to be an anchor in the USA’s run to the final of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He is particularly adept in the air on set pieces at both ends of the park, displaying a sense of anticipation equal to his timing and technical ability. Goodson spent four years sharpening his skills at FC Dallas before heading across the Atlantic to IK Start in Norway, where his play merited a transfer to perennial Danish league contender Brøndby as well as the captain’s armband.

Started every game for the U.S. in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Part of the USA’s roster at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa
Played in a career-high 10 matches in 2011, including nine starts
Played in six matches for the U.S. in 2009 and scored the game-winner in the 2-0 semifinal victory against Honduras in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, earning a place on the All-Tournament Team
Named captain at Danish powerhouse Brøndby after only half of a season with the club

U.S. Nat’l Team
Professional
College
Personal

2011: Finished the year with nine starts in 10 appearances for the U.S. … Started all six of the USA’s matches in the Gold Cup, playing the full 90 minutes in five … Scored the U.S.’s only goal in the loss against Panama on June 11 … 2010: A member of the USA’s squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup … Scored on a header on Jan. 23 against Honduras for his second career goal and second against Honduras … Notched his first career assist when he skied for a header to set up Herculez Gomez against Czech Republic on May 25 in East Hartford … Made eight appearances, including five starts … Started three consecutive matches against Czech Republic, Turkey and Australia right before the World Cup … Anchored the backline in the 1-0 victory against South Africa on Nov. 17 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge … 2009: Played in six matches, including three as a starter … All three starts came during the runners-up finish in the Gold Cup … Headed home a corner kick in first half stoppage to pace the U.S. to a 2-0 victory in the semifinal on July 23 against Honduras in Chicago … Replaced Carlos Bocanegra in the USA’s final two matches of 2009, friendlies in Slovakia and Denmark … 2008: Debuted for the U.S. in the 2-0 victory against Sweden on Jan. 19 at The Home Depot Center … Started in the USA’s final qualifier of the semifinal round, a 2-0 victory against Guatemala on Nov. 18 in Commerce City, Colo. … First Appearance: Jan. 19, 2008, vs. Sweden … First Goal: July 23, 2009, vs. Honduras.

2011: Handed the captain’s armband after only half of a season with Brøndby … In the first half of the 2011-12 season, started 21 games for Brøndby in all competitions and played the full 90 minutes in each one … Scored his first goal for the club on Nov. 20 in the 2-1 win against Copenhagen … 2010-11: Earned a transfer to Danish power Brøndby, signing a three-year deal … 2009-10: Finished the season at IK Start with 26 starts and three goals … Scored in back-to-back games, a 2-1 win at Sandefjord on July 10 and the game-winner in the 1-0 win against Aalesund on July 18 … 2009-10: One of the first choice centerbacks, Goodson started 22 matches in 2009 as IK Start finished in ninth place … Tallied three goals … 2008-09: Made 22 league appearances in his debut season at IK Start, including 18 starts as his club earned promotion to the Norwegian Premier League … 2007: Started 27 matches in helping FC Dallas to the MLS Cup playoffs and a spot in the U.S. Open Cup final … 2006: Started nine of the 13 games he played in and was on the 18-man day of game roster an additional 12 times during the year … 2005: Led the team with 29 games played as he became a regular at centerback … Almost a year to the date of his MLS debut, scored his first (and second) career goals in a 3-2 loss to the MetroStars at Giants Stadium on June 27 … 2004: Appeared in five matches, making two starts … Made MLS debut coming in as a substitute in the 22nd minute of a 5-1 win against on July 24 against D.C. United.

2003: Was an integral part of Maryland's defense as a centerback … Earned All-ACC Second Team honors while helping the Terps to 12 shutouts … Named to ACC All-Tournament Team after scoring two goals and adding one assist … 2002: Started 24 of 25 matches and helped pace the Terps offense with three goals and four assists for 10 points …Scored three goals in the ACC Tournament … 2000: Started 11 of 19 matches and finished his freshman campaign as the team's second-leading scorer with 13 points.

Attended W.T. Woodson High School for two years after spending his first two years at Annandale … Full name is Clarence E. Goodson IV ... The son of Jan and Clarence E. Goodson III, has an older sister, Jenna … Grandfather spent one year in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system in 1942 … First job was a grounds crew at a golf course … Played basketball until dedicating himself full-time to soccer entering high school … Listens to classical rock such as the Doors, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.