Player Bio

Clarence Goodson

U.S. National Team: MNT
Position: Defender
Date Of Birth: May 17, 1982
Height: 6-4
Weight: 170
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
Club: IK Start (Norway)

Tall and agile, Clarence Goodson is proving to be a capable member of the U.S. depth chart in the back. His first two appearances for the full team book-ended the 2008 campaign, and he increased his presence during the busy schedule of 2009 where he provided a solid presence in the run to the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Goodson spent four years sharpening his skills in Dallas before heading across the Atlantic to IK Start in Norway where he is a consistent starter at center back.

Made his first goal for the full team count when he scored the game-winner in the 2-0 semifinal victory against Honduras in the 2009 Gold Cup
Played in a career-high six matches for the U.S. in 2009
After moving to IK Start in 2008, he helped the side gain promotion to Norway’s top flight

U.S. Nat’l Team
Professional
College
Personal

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 on the roster for the USA’s final two matches of 2009 against 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

2009: One of the first choice centerbacks, Goodson started 22 matches in 2009 as IK Start finished in ninth place … Tallied three goals … 2008: Made 22 appearances in his debut season, including 18 starts … 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 center back…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 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 center back …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 in the Tournament … 2002: Started 24 of 25 matches and helped pace the Terps offense with three goals and four assists for 10 points …Notched 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 … His grandfather spent one year in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system in 1942 … First job was a grounds crew at a golf course …Also played basketball until dedicating himself to full-time to soccer entering high school … Listens to classical rock such as the Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.