Photo Credit: Memphis 901 FC
The winter transfer window is the busiest of the two as far as domestic transfers are concerned in the United States. Naturally, clubs are much more willing to shift playing talent around in the winter, when domestic leagues are between seasons.
This is a prime stretch for clubs in all divisions to strengthen their squads ahead of the new campaign, and for players to perhaps test themselves higher up in the pyramid. One of these players this past winter was Phillip Goodrum.
Phillip Goodrum is a Nashville native who played his college soccer at UNC-Wilmington before being selected 75th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United.
In his time with Atlanta, he featured exclusively with the second team, though he did make the first team squad once ahead of a CCL fixture. All in all, Goodrum finished his time with the club having played 33 times, totaling six goals and six assists across 1,774 minutes of play.
His contract expired after the 2021 season, and he returned to familiar territory. He signed a two-year contract with Memphis 901 FC that would keep him under contract through the 2023 campaign.
Goodrum announced himself to his new club by scoring 21 goals and adding on 6 assists in the regular season. To add a cherry on top, Goodrum claimed five of his 21 goals against Atlanta United 2. He would add another goal and assist in the playoffs, but it wasn’t enough to will Memphis past eventual runners-up Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
That offseason, Goodrum looked to test himself in a higher division. I spoke with Gustaf Grauer, Goodrum’s agent. In that conversation, I learned details of what happened that I can share with you.
Memphis received offers this winter from one MLS club and one Swedish club for his services. These offers were “substantial”, but did not reach the level Memphis were willing to sell at. Phillip discussed this in pre-season and said that he felt “devastated” to be back with Memphis this season.
Grauer added they haven’t had discussions with Memphis about an extension to date, but that Phillip believes he’s earned a step up, and is “open minded” about where exactly that step up comes from, be it MLS or Sweden.
Memphis, and Goodrum, have had a much slower start to this season than last, with former head coach Ben Pirmann departing for Charleston Battery. He was replaced in Memphis by Stephen Glass, Goodrum’s former head coach at Atlanta United 2.
Memphis have only picked up one win from six to start the year, and Goodrum’s lone goal on the campaign to date came in the US Open Cup from the penalty spot against none other than Atlanta United.
Please know that this paragraph is not anything Gustaf Grauer told me, and is purely speculation on my own part, and truthfully is a belief I held before speaking to him. I believe the MLS club that was in on Phillip Goodrum this offseason was Nashville SC. There were rumors Nashville was looking at signing him last summer, though I don’t know how serious those were at the time.
Goodrum will, unless he’s extended by Memphis, be available on a free transfer starting December 1st. At least two clubs are interested in his services, though I expect there to be more once a transfer fee is out of the question.
Soundwave Soccer 
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