Kevin Goldthwaite, recently of the MLS New York Red Bulls, was announced as the latest Portland Timber today. The club noted that "Goldy" as they called him in New York would be ready to suit up for the team in a couple of weeks. Read, in time for the playoffs, as there are five regular season games from September 2 through the beginning of October. The release also noted that he had played for our green team on loan in 2005. Most notable, he has playoff experience with the Dynamo in 2006 and as Defender of the Year for the Red Bulls in 2008 when they took the Western Conference Championship. That should come in handy because the team is certainly pointed toward playoff appearance. Could Goldthwaite be tasked with shoring up the Timbers' defensive performance on set pieces in particular? Wouldn't be surprised.
On the site Big Apple Soccer an August 7th posting denies that Goldthwaite was let go to make room for Rafa Marquez, a suspicion which might be forgiven since the Red Bulls acquisition was much-heralded and in the time frame. In the strange framing of 'truth' that is the Internet, Goldthwaite's Wikipedia listing has already been updated to show Portland as his current club. It also asserts that the Red Bulls released him to make room for Marquez. Not that we really care.
As a twenty-seven year old with a solid MLS portfolio, I'd suspect Goldthwaite may be around for more than just this season. That is, if he's healthy. And if he can keep his cool. Almost exactly one year ago, Goldthwaite jeopardized the Red Bull's first win in fifteen matches with a swing at an opposing player which drew a straight red card.
We like feisty here in Soccer City. But we need smart feisty.
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