Goodson's SJ Future in Doubt

Squeezed in at the bottom of the press release that heralded the acquisition of Joe Cannon was a single line that surely can't be good news for the San Jose Earthquakes: "Expansion Draft player Clarence Goodson has decided to pursue an overseas opportunity." No other information was available, but it sounds like the Earthquakes may have a huge hole in their backline to fill, with less than three months until the start of the 2008 season.Goodson, 25, anchored the FC Dallas defense in 2007, playing 2,297 minutes during the regular season. He pitched in offensively with a goal and an assist in the regular season, and added another tally in the playoffs. The 7th overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, Dallas left the 6'4" player unprotected in the expansion draft, allowing San Jose to select Goodson on November 21. However, Goodson has gone on the record as saying he would not resign with MLS, opting instead to move overseas. It now appears as if he has, indeed, followed through on the statement.