For Kevin Goldthwaite—one of the four players signed last week by the Timbers—playing for the MLS Timbers side is a bit of a homecoming. On loan to the USL-edition Timbers in 2005, Goldthwaite went on to be a starting backliner in New York, playing in 17 matches in 2009. Injuries slowed his 2010 season but when he became available midseason, the Timbers jumped at the chance to sign him. Happy to be in Portland again, Goldthwaite is looking forward to helping launch the Timbers in their inaugural campaign.
But to get here, Goldthwaite spent a number of years with a few different teams. Timbers head coach John Spencer first came across the 6’1” defender while both were in Houston back in 2006. While the Dynamo were in the middle of winning back-to-back MLS Cups, Goldthwaite was going through a challenging season though was playing in the then-reserve league team with Spencer at the helm.
“I might have been down a little bit having been relegated to the bench,” remembers Goldthwaite. “At the time, [Spencer] comes in and helps put me in the right direction and then towards the end of the season, I played a little bit more. I think that year spent with him was really a productive year for me professionally and I think I owe a lot of it to John.”
No stranger to the Timbers due to his loan time in 2005 where he played alongside Timbers then-defender and now general manager and technical director Gavin Wilkinson, Goldthwaite was eager to come back, joining the squad in their final USSF D-2 season.
“I remember the Timbers Army was as strong and as loud as it is today and it’s something that when the opportunity presented itself to come here, I was thrilled to be able to come back and play in front of those fans again,” said Goldthwaite.
Building upon his years with Spencer and then later in New York, Goldthwaite brings a veteran presence to the team with over five years of MLS experience. That position of leadership is one he does not take lightly.
“I think that’s going to have some responsibility behind it in terms of helping younger guys out in whatever facet it’s going to be, if it’s going to be professionally or personally,” said Goldthwaite. “I’d like to take that role on and do what I can. I think most importantly I want to be a main contributor to the team and play every week.”
Now here and content with his choice, Goldthwaite is eager for the season to begin.
“I think it was the absolute best decision for me in terms of professionally and personally.”
