By Caitlin Ladd
Scott Goodwin doesn’t see himself leaving soccer altogether upon retirement because, as the Louisville City FC goalkeeper said this week, “I’ve devoted twenty years of my life to it.”
At least professionally, Monday’s July 4 game against FC Montreal will be the last for Goodwin before he departs to attend Harvard Medical School, an acceptance he announced in May and this week called “a dream come true.”
“I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to have a career giving back and helping people,” said Goodwin, who has more immediate plans to return to the pitch, only in a recreational league and perhaps at a different position.
“Maybe a striker this time,” he said with a smile.
Goodwin has used his year-plus with LouCity giving back to fans and a community that has given him “so many opportunities.” He calls signing autographs and parting with his goalie gloves a “no-brainer” given the support received by LouCity’s players, who on Saturday performed in front of a club record 10,062 fans at Louisville Slugger Field.
Goodwin last logged minutes in a United Soccer League match in April. But going back to 2015, his goals-against average ranked second-best in the USL, and he started 30 games across all competitions, including the U.S. Open Cup.
“I’m never going to make up for all that soccer has given me and what this city’s given me,” Goodwin said, “but I’m at least going to try.”
The University of North Carolina graduate, who led the Tar Heels to a College Cup and four regular-season ACC titles, played professionally in Iceland and for his home state Carolina RailHawks before signing with LouCity.
He watched the club grow over the past year and a half and thinks the “sky’s the limit” for LouCity, citing committed ownership, staff and supporters for the early success. He’ll leave a first-place club that in 2015 finished second in the USL standings in its inaugural season.
“I’m sad that I’ll be leaving that, but I think I’ll always be a part of the family here and have strong ties to the city,” Goodwin said.
The 25-year-old started his application process to Harvard last year, keeping it strictly between himself and his family. The process was “extremely competitive” and there were no “guarantees of getting in anywhere.”
Goodwin wanted to be sure of his acceptance before sharing the news with his team. The first thing coach James O’Connor said to him?
“‘If you had come in here and told me you turned down that opportunity, I would’ve told you to get on the phone right now and call them back,’” Goodwin shared.
Although he hasn’t decided specifically which field to go into, Goodwin figures skills needed while between the post will transfer to a medical setting. There are “split-second decisions under pressure” necessity for leadership “and having to organize things and try to prevent problems before they arise.”
O’Connor and LouCity’s players have sent Goodwin off with team lunches this week. The coach said, obviously, they’re “disappointed to lose Scott.”
“He’s someone we all have tremendous respect for,” O’Connor added. “He’s played a huge part both on and off the field. He’s been a leader in the changing room for us. He’s led his life correctly. He’s been a role model for the other players, and he epitomizes everything we’re about.”
LouCity’s leading scorer, striker Chandler Hoffman, said players are “sad to see Scott go. He’s a great guy and a great player, but it’s a tremendous opportunity for him. He’s going to have a great career as a doctor now, and we’re all excited for him.”
