Throwback Thursday: Eddie Johnson

This week player safety was supposed to be one of the hottest topics in world soccer as the FIFA medical conference was to take centre stage.

But with the developments in Switzerland in recent days, that has sadly been overshadowed with stories of corruption and false play in the news instead.

USA international Eddie Johnson, now plying his trade with D.C. United, has not played this season after it was rumoured doctors found he has a heart condition.

Johnson in his Fulham days

So we’ve decided to take a look back at the career of the former Fulham striker and we hope he is able to resume his career soon.

Factfile:

Full name: Edward Abraham Johnson

Date of Birth: 31/03/1984

Nationality: American

Height: 1.83m

Clubs: FC Dallas (Dallas Burn), Kansas City Wizards, Fulham, Cardiff City, Aris, Preston North End,

Seattle Sounders, D.C. United

Club Appearances: 328*

Club Goals: 90*

International Appearances: 63*

International Goals: 19*

Honours: CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007 & 2013

The Early Years:

Johnson was one of the youngest players to be inducted into the Project-40 scheme, now called Generation Adidas, when he was signed by FC Dallas in 2001.

The project was set up to improve America’s brightest talents because franchises did not have their own youth academies to nurture young player, but that is beginning to change.

In his early years in Texas, the striker struggled for playing time and even when he was on the field he was very inconsistent.

But following his 2004 breakthrough season Benfica offered what would have been an MLS-record $5 million transfer fee, but Johnson and MLS turned down the move.

The striker has won two Gold Cups

Coming Of Age:

After an incredibly prolific few years with the USMNT youth sides, Johnson scored on his full international bow against El Salvador in October 2004.

And by February 2006 he was on the move to Kansas City Wizards as Dallas faced salary cap trouble and a reported move to Reading failed to materialise.

He struggled to adapt to his new surroundings and saw his form drop for club and country in his first season with the Wizards.

After playing twice in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Johnson returned to his best and became the first player ever to score back to back hat-tricks in MLS.

Overseas Adventure:

His return to form was capped with a 2007 Gold Cup winner’s medal and after rejecting the overtures of Derby County that summer, he did eventually move on.

Johnson joined Fulham the following January and made six appearances in his debut season, but failed to win a regular place and was sent out on loan.

First he had a season long spell with Cardiff City in the Championship but failed to find his scoring touch their either, netting twice in 33 games.

Fulham continued to send the striker out on loan and spells with Greek side Aris and Preston North End followed, before he permanently left Craven Cottage.

Return To MLS:

After falling out of international consciousness, including not being selected for the 2010 World Cup, Johnson decided a move back to MLS was in his best interests.

After briefly training with Mexican side Puebla, the striker joined Seattle Sounders in February 2012 and made a strong comeback to MLS with 14 goals in total.

He was voted MLS' Comeback Player of the Year in 2012

He followed that up by helping the Sounders progress to the Champions League semi-finals in 2013 and winning his second Gold Cup with the USA that summer.

But after openly making pleas for an improved contract, he was traded to D.C. United ahead of last season and went on to score nine goals in all competitions. 

What’s Next?

Johnson is taking an indefinite break from soccer with an unspecified medical issue that may mean he will not play again for DC, or any franchise for that matter.

Both United and the player have not commented on his absence, but according to Washington Post sources the problem is with his heart.

He is the Washington-based franchise’s highest paid player but after a promising start to 2014 he faded towards the end of last season.

At the moment however, his primary concern is dealing with the health issues that he faces and any hopes of a return to soccer remain a distant option.

Images courtesy of Hamish Blair, Stephen Dunn and Otto Greule Jr, with thanks