From Sarasota, to Washington D.C., to Seattle and now Detroit. Le Rouge faithful, welcome Bakie Goodman to Detroit City FC.
The young midfielder, known for his ability to get creative and set up his teammates with scoring chances, has already started both league games for Le Rouge this season. He said his experience with the team so far has been constructive and positive.
“Soccer-wise, it’s been good,” Goodman said. “I’ve enjoyed it and I contribute really well so I can’t complain at all. Struggling to finish games a little bit, but I think it will start coming along as we get moving with the season.”
Goodman played his collegiate career at Georgetown University beginning in 2013. During his tenure with the Hoyas, he started 71 games and made a total of 80 appearances. He accrued 27 points, including seven goals and 12 assists. Three of his goals were game winners.
According to his player biography, he was a member of the Big East All-Rookie Team, started every game during the 2015 season and served as team captain his senior year. An article from the Georgetown Athletics website said Goodman played a crucial role in the team’s success, especially during the postseason.
“Goodman played an integral role in three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the quarterfinals in 2014, as well as two Big East Regular Season Championships and one tournament championship in 2015,” the article said.
After graduation, the Hoya alum was drafted by the Seattle Sounders in the 2017 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. The defending MLS champions chose the rookie with the 56th pick overall in January.
Goodman was expecting to play for the Sounders’ United Soccer League affiliate, but was released a week before the season started. While admitting it wasn’t an ideal situation to be in timing wise, he understood their decision.
“They were going in a different direction with their team,” Goodman told the Detroit Free Press. “They decided they were going to play academy kids for the USL team, which makes sense. That’s the way they wanted to go with it. I understand. Wish it would have been done a little sooner. Once they let us know, there weren’t really any other options going forward.”
After his agent pulled some connections, Goodman was able to sign with Le Rouge. Though taking a leap of faith and not being sure what to expect, Goodman said his transition to life in Detroit and with the team has been positive.
“It’s been exciting, though I didn’t know what to expect coming here,” Goodman said. “I heard good things from the owners, coach Ben and my agent.”
Perhaps the most welcomed surprise for Goodman was the incredible fan support. Le Rouge have a fan base unlike most other National Premier Soccer League soccer clubs, both in size and spirit.
“It’s been fun, the fans here are amazing,” Goodman said. “Honestly, they’re pretty crazy. I didn’t expect anything like this. They definitely make the experience worth it.”
Goodman told the Detroit Free Press he is more of a creative player who likes to set up his teammates with scoring chances.
“My strength is in my technical ability,” he said in the article. “I like playing in the middle or tucked in out wide. I’m very calm on the ball, a creator. I think I have a good soccer brain, good IQ. I just want to set people up. That’s what I love to do.”
Head Coach Ben Pirmann said the addition of Goodman will help solidify the midfield with captain David Edwardson. The duo have now started three matches together and are beginning to learn from each other’s style of play.
“Bakie’s a selfless, hardworking kid,” Pirmann told the Detroit Free Press. “He’s more of a box-to-box midfielder. He’s a setup guy. Hopefully he’s providing assists and maybe a goal here and there.”
Most important for the rookie right now is his work ethic. Though unsure of what the future may hold, Goodman said he would like Le Rouge to be as competitive as possible in league play this season.
“My goals are to stay here for the summer with the team, try to win as many games as we can and make the playoffs,” Goodman said.
More statistics on Goodman:
– Starter on his academy teams growing up and was the captain of Clearwater Chargers U-16 team that advanced to the 2011 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Playoffs.
– Played with FC Sarasota.
– Member of the U.S. U-15 National Team, earning MVP.
– Member of the Florida Olympic Development Program from 2008-11.
