Richard Goddard survived his baptism of fire with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Two days after the June 20 announcement that starting goalkeeper Tony Caig had bolted on the defending USL First Division champions, Goddard was between the posts and earned a shutout in a 1-0 win over Miami FC at the start of a six-game road trip.
It's been a roller-coaster ride for Goddard since that June 22 night at Miami's Tropical Park Stadium. The Caps' first-choice 'keeper in 10 of the 12 following games, he has posted a 1-4-5 record, three shutouts and a 1.25 goals-against average heading into Saturday's match against the Charleston Battery at Swangard Stadium.
Goddard's stats may be less than sensational, but the 29-year-old native of Scarborough, Tobago, has done enough to help keep the Caps' playoff hopes alive during a franchise record 12-game winless streak.
"I was Tony Caig's backup since the third game this season, when I signed with the Whitecaps, and thought then that I'd have to be very patient to get playing time," Goddard said Thursday.
"To be honest, I didn't expect to even play here. Tony was that good. He's a top-notch 'keeper and there was no way anyone was going to replace him unless he got injured."
Goddard paid his soccer dues before joining the Caps in early May. His pro career includes three in-and-out seasons with the Toronto Lynx, who were perennial USLFD doormats before they moved to the Premier Development League following the 2006 campaign.
The 5-11, 190-pound Goddard played for two head coaches in Toronto and was released and re-signed by them on four occasions.
"It was a bit of a circus [in Toronto]," Goddard said with a smile. "It seemed like I was in the team one day and out the next. That's why I was happy to sign with the Whitecaps. I knew the Whitecaps were a much more stable club and organization."
Goddard's earlier years in the game were considerably more satisfying. He played at the college level with the Roberts Wesleyan Raiders of Rochester, N.Y., earning NAIA all-American and Region 9 player-of-the-year honours in 1998 and 1999.
His resume also includes a combined 22 caps with Trinidad and Tobago's under-20 and under-23 national teams.
Goddard has earned the respect of his Caps teammates.
"It's never easy to come into a new team and replace a guy like Tony Caig," said veteran midfielder and team captain Jeff Clarke. "But Richard really met the challenge. He hasn't hidden.
"There's a couple of goals that have gone in that he may want back, but he's rebounded well. He's ready for the next shot, the next game, and the next training session. He's been a very honest goalkeeper and we're lucky to have him."
GOAL DUST: Striker Eddy Sebrango, the Caps' scoring leader with seven goals and one assist, participated in his third practice of the week Thursday as he neared full recovery from a foot injury suffered in mid-season. "I'm at about 60 per cent fitness now," said Sebrango, who has been sidelined for the last 10 games. "I feel like I'm ready to play again, but I'll have the foot examined by a doctor first. I think the best-case scenario for me on Saturday is to play as a substitute."