NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC announced Wednesday morning that they have acquired San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Anínal Godoy in exchange for $650,000 in General Allocation Money. As with the David Accam trade, Godoy will stay with his current team and join Nashville at the start of the 2020 MLS season.
Godoy is a great passer of the ball who operates well as a deep lying playmaker. He holds on to the ball well under pressure and can spray the ball across the field. Godoy is also not afraid of being physical and mixing it up in the middle of the park. He will provide a good veteran presence to the expansion side and should serve a key role. It is also important to note that he holds a green card and therefore will not take up an international slot.
Be on the lookout for a more in depth breakdown coming soon.
From the press release:
“Nashville Soccer Club announced today it has added Panamanian midfielder Aníbal Godoy to its Major League Soccer roster from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $650,000 in General Allocation Money. The 29-year old World Cup veteran will remain with the Earthquakes through the 2019 MLS season.
“Aníbal is a talented player, and we are excited to add him to the club,” said Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs. “His ability to influence matches on both sides of the ball have made him an impact player in MLS and for his country. As we continue to build our MLS roster, we are committed to establishing a blueprint for the present and the future of our club. Godoy offers veteran leadership and international experience that we will need in our pursuit of excellence on and off the field.”
In his four years in San Jose, Godoy has become the engine of the Earthquakes, playing a total of 8,481 minutes and reaching 99 appearances in MLS regular season play. A player who is equally equipped in possession as he is defensively, he averages a 90% passing accuracy and more than 12 duels completed per game, ranking third and first, respectively, amongst all central midfielders in the league with as many appearances.
“I would like to thank the Earthquakes organization for helping me secure my future beyond 2019 and Nashville SC for believing in me as a player,” said Godoy. “I’m excited for my future with Nashville SC and helping the club make an immediate impact in MLS. Right now, I am very focused on achieving success with my teammates in San Jose this season.”
Internationally, Godoy has become a leader for Panamas National Team with 99 caps. The Panamanian was instrumental in leading the squad that qualified and participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the first time in nation’s history, as well as in reaching the Semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Godoy becomes the fifth MLS signing for the expansion side joining Ghanaian international David Accam, U.S. Men’s Youth international Derrick Jones, English forward Cameron Lancaster and Mexican youth international forward Daniel Ríos.
Transaction: Nashville SC adds Aníbal Godoy from San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $650,000 in General Allocation Money on Aug. 7, 2019. Godoy will remain with the Earthquakes through the 2019 MLS season.“
ANÍBAL GODOY
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Birthdate: Feb. 10, 1990
Age: 29
Hometown: Panama City, Panama
Nationality: Panamanian
Last club: San Jose Earthquakes
How Acquired: Signed by Nashville SC from San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $650,000 in General Allocation Money on Aug. 7, 2019.
