Kevin Goldthwaite at Toronto FC

So I clear customs and head to my hotel in Toronto for preparation for our HDNET broadcast of FC Toronto’s home opener against the Kansas City Wizards and who is in the lobby but former Houston Dynamo defender Kevin Goldthwaite.
After being moved from Houston recently in the Richard Mulrooney deal Goldthwaite is feeling the life of a professional athlete.
New city, new teammates, finding a place to live plus trying to make his mark in MLS.
His new coach Mo Johnston is excited about having both Goldthwaite and Marvell Wynne as two young outside backs in MLS who have the capability of expanding their game.
For Goldthwaite at 24 years of age it is important that he gets playing time. Some get it and some don’t. The ones that don’t silently slip out of MLS. If you are not getting regular playing time at 24 it is cause for concern.
MLS is slim when it comes to naturally left-sided players let only left sided defenders. Todd Dunivant in New York, Chris Gbandi in Dallas, Ante Jazic in Los Angeles and Wade Barrett in Houston quickly come to mind.
Goldthwaite will get his games in Toronto while the Dynamo will take a risk that the dependable Barrett doesn’t get injured. He also is a potential national team call-up during a busy international calendar for the U.S. National team that includes the Copa America and Gold Cup.
“This is the most important year of my career,” says Goldthwaite. “It’s the first year I have a starting role. To get a full season under my belt. There is nothing but respect on my end for Dom (Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear) and John Spencer and leaving good friends is tough but for my career it has to be done.”
Goldthwaite will get the start Saturday in Toronto FC’s home opener that is sold out at BMO Field (20,250)which by the way cost 62.9 million dollars which 45 million was borne by the taxpayers.
Also in town and expected to start for Toronto FC is former Preston North End striker Daniel Dichio.