"We only score with our Johnson." -- various, circa 2006 World Cup.
To think. To actually think that when Eddie Johnson came on as a 61st minute subsitution with the USMNT down 2-1 to Ghana in the final Group E match for Stever Cherundolo, most supporters were excited.
This was the G-A-M, the grown ass man. The wunderkind who'd be the first American field player to set Europe alight.
Since then...what the hell happened to the then fresh-faced 20-year-old that scored a hatrick vs. Panaman on Oct. 13, 2004?
For whatever the reason the suits at the USSF and Bob Bradley seem content to keep throwing Johnson to the wolves until he magically rediscovers his form.
Trust me, I was drinking the 'GAM' Kool Aid as much as the next guy, but finally I said enough. Nothing personal, but it might be time to go with Plan B or C, assuming the real Plan A is a certain guy who's initials are J.A. A lot can happen in two years, so pinning your hopes on one or two guys isn't a sound strategy.
Here's what is worrisome about Johnson. He looked awful/invisible vs. England two weeks ago, couldn't finish his chances vs. Spain and was mediocre at best vs. Argentina. That said, there's little doubt in my mind that Johnson will score Sunday as the U.S. embarks in earnest for its 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with the first game in a home-and-home series with Barbados in Carson Calif. (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
Really, if Johnson can't get on the board against a bunch of semi-pros, he's even more of a lost cause than we thought.
Johnson's last competitive goal for the U.S. came via a penalty kick on June 28, 2007 vs. Argentina in the Copa America. He didn't score for Fulham went he transfered over there in January. So think, America's current No. 1 striker hasn't scored in six months in any competition.
It makes you wonder why Bradley didn't look at a guy like FC Dallas' 23-year-old Kenny Cooper, who has six goals in 12 MLS games this season or elsewhere to a player at least in a little bit of 'form.' Bradley did recall Brian Ching, who is okay-enough, but we all know what he's bringing to the table.
The U.S. did go through it's recent stretch of 'world class' opponents without scoring in 270 minutes. That streak should end quickly against Barbados, who, let's face it, don't rate at all. Anything less than 3-0 would be pretty sad, if you want to take the U.S. seriously.
That's why Bradley ought to, as hard as it might be for him, to scrap a pair of defensive minded midfielders and go all out for attack. Barring a calamity from Oguchi Onyweu or a gaffe by Tim Howard, Barbados shouldn't threaten to score.
Basically, play Freddy Adu. The kid is a dribbling highlight reel. He's about the only player when the ball is at his feet the opponents are shitting their pants. True Adu loose, it's Barbados for pete's sake!
Here's my preferred lineup, which has 0.0001 chance of being used.
GK: Howard
Def: Pearce -- Califf -- DeMerit -- Cherundolo
Mid: Beasley -- Bradley -- Adu -- Kljestan
For: Donovan -- Dempsey
If Barbados is going to score, it's not coming via Route One. It'll be a fluke, or a deflection or someone getting caught out of position. Play to win. Play to attack. Even though a trip to the World Cup is on the line, don't play it so close to the vest. This is a pressure situation that allows a chance to experiment. Why not try it?
Let's just hope like I previously said, playing Barbados after those three rugged opponents is like moving from 'Legendary' difficultly to 'Amateur' in a 'FIFA' game.
** Anyone else outraged that Claudio Reyna claimed there is no strategy in soccer in this week's 'Sports Illustrated'? It certainly would explain a lot.
** To all long-time readers, hope I'm not short-changing you with most of my Euro thoughts shuffled over to Deadspin. I'll make up for it, I swear.
To think. To actually think that when Eddie Johnson came on as a 61st minute subsitution with the USMNT down 2-1 to Ghana in the final Group E match for Stever Cherundolo, most supporters were excited.
This was the G-A-M, the grown ass man. The wunderkind who'd be the first American field player to set Europe alight.
Since then...what the hell happened to the then fresh-faced 20-year-old that scored a hatrick vs. Panaman on Oct. 13, 2004?
For whatever the reason the suits at the USSF and Bob Bradley seem content to keep throwing Johnson to the wolves until he magically rediscovers his form.
Trust me, I was drinking the 'GAM' Kool Aid as much as the next guy, but finally I said enough. Nothing personal, but it might be time to go with Plan B or C, assuming the real Plan A is a certain guy who's initials are J.A. A lot can happen in two years, so pinning your hopes on one or two guys isn't a sound strategy.
Here's what is worrisome about Johnson. He looked awful/invisible vs. England two weeks ago, couldn't finish his chances vs. Spain and was mediocre at best vs. Argentina. That said, there's little doubt in my mind that Johnson will score Sunday as the U.S. embarks in earnest for its 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with the first game in a home-and-home series with Barbados in Carson Calif. (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
Really, if Johnson can't get on the board against a bunch of semi-pros, he's even more of a lost cause than we thought.
Johnson's last competitive goal for the U.S. came via a penalty kick on June 28, 2007 vs. Argentina in the Copa America. He didn't score for Fulham went he transfered over there in January. So think, America's current No. 1 striker hasn't scored in six months in any competition.
It makes you wonder why Bradley didn't look at a guy like FC Dallas' 23-year-old Kenny Cooper, who has six goals in 12 MLS games this season or elsewhere to a player at least in a little bit of 'form.' Bradley did recall Brian Ching, who is okay-enough, but we all know what he's bringing to the table.
The U.S. did go through it's recent stretch of 'world class' opponents without scoring in 270 minutes. That streak should end quickly against Barbados, who, let's face it, don't rate at all. Anything less than 3-0 would be pretty sad, if you want to take the U.S. seriously.
That's why Bradley ought to, as hard as it might be for him, to scrap a pair of defensive minded midfielders and go all out for attack. Barring a calamity from Oguchi Onyweu or a gaffe by Tim Howard, Barbados shouldn't threaten to score.
Basically, play Freddy Adu. The kid is a dribbling highlight reel. He's about the only player when the ball is at his feet the opponents are shitting their pants. True Adu loose, it's Barbados for pete's sake!
Here's my preferred lineup, which has 0.0001 chance of being used.
GK: Howard
Def: Pearce -- Califf -- DeMerit -- Cherundolo
Mid: Beasley -- Bradley -- Adu -- Kljestan
For: Donovan -- Dempsey
If Barbados is going to score, it's not coming via Route One. It'll be a fluke, or a deflection or someone getting caught out of position. Play to win. Play to attack. Even though a trip to the World Cup is on the line, don't play it so close to the vest. This is a pressure situation that allows a chance to experiment. Why not try it?
Let's just hope like I previously said, playing Barbados after those three rugged opponents is like moving from 'Legendary' difficultly to 'Amateur' in a 'FIFA' game.
** Anyone else outraged that Claudio Reyna claimed there is no strategy in soccer in this week's 'Sports Illustrated'? It certainly would explain a lot.
** To all long-time readers, hope I'm not short-changing you with most of my Euro thoughts shuffled over to Deadspin. I'll make up for it, I swear.
Labels: Eddie Johnson, Soccer, USMNT, world cup qualifying
Jozy Saves.
I think GAM is a perfect example of why the whole "If we could just get our best athletes playing soccer" argument is pure shit. He simply doesn't have the first-touch or finishing skills to play at the top echelon of the sport. Sorry, but speed is useles if you don't have the techniqu.
I take no pleasure in saying this, but I'd rather see pretty much anyone but GAM in the U.S.A. XI.
I hate watching GAM these days because of the hope I had when he first burst onto the scene. I thought we had finally found the missing piece. Since that point though US Soccer as a whole has gone backwards quite rapidly so it's not just Johnson.
I don't think that Johnson is proof that the getting the best athletes playing soccer wouldn't work. Clearly, a big part of that idea would be making sure that the good athletes actually received proper training and were shown the right technique. MLS ruined Johnson for a couple of seasons before finally letting him leave, luckily the same won't happen with Jozy.
A-freaking-men to this post and the comments. I was at the USA - Argentina game on Sunday, and it was laughable how easy it was to predict exactly what EJ would do when he got the ball.
I am very much unsold on Eddie these days myself (how could one not be) but I don't point to his performance against Argentina as evidence against him.
My main issue with him has been his lack of confidence on the ball, and against Argentina, I didn't see any big mistakes from, or flustered passes. He looked shockingly confident on the ball in my eyes. Did he generate scoring chances? No. But it was Argentina, for heaven's sake. I thought he looked like a big target guy doing what he should--capturing the ball with his back to the goal, and sending passes to guys streaming upfield.
I find it passe to bitch about Johnson. The hip player to complain about is Rico Clark, who mercifully didn't play against the Argentines.
Cardillo, I've perused your starting 11:
GK: Howard
Def: Pearce -- Califf -- DeMerit -- Cherundolo
Mid: Beasley -- Bradley -- Adu -- Kljestan
For: Donovan -- Dempsey
I understand your reasoning, but Danny Califf, really? He played pretty OK against the Maradonas, but that doesn't wipe away 2 years of flailing about. I'll take Bocanegra at that spot every time (assuming he's available. I do want to see more of Demerit.
No other real beefs with your selection, but I would like to see Dempsey finish a little better than he has lately, and I prefer Donovan in a role that allows him to run more at defenses than him being up top would allow (David Villa's video evidence aside, strikers don't get to run at defenses enough).
Striker remains a glaring hole in the team. Eddie Johnson is probably not the answer, but I doubt that Brian Ching, Dempsey, or Donovan or some MLS guy are the answer either.
I won't close the book on Johnson until his first season away from American professional soccer.