Bunnell native and Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate Eddie Johnson was traded to DC United on Tuesday, DC United announced, from the Seattle Sounders, where Johnson had played the last two seasons. Johnson had made 48 appearances and scored 23 goals for the Sounders.
Johnson, named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2012, had a few difficult years between 2008 and 2011, playing for a variety of teams after a two-year stint with the Kansas Wizards and falling out of the U.S. national team, after playing in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was not on the 2010 World Cup team, but he made it back for the current campaign.
DC United acquired Johnson “for allocation money,” the team announced on its website.
“Eddie is coming off a terrific year with Seattle and the U.S. National Team, and we are very pleased to have acquired him,” D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper said on the team’s website. “He is one of the most dangerous attacking players in MLS, and we believe he will be an important contributor to our team.”
The site also notes: “Currently carving out a spot for himself with the U.S. Men’s National Team, Johnson appeared in 15 matches in 2013 and found the back of the net five times through both of the USMNT’s triumphant journeys through World Cup Qualifying, seeing Johnson tally against Panama and Mexico, and the Gold Cup, where Johnson tallied in both the quarter final and semi final rounds. The former Sounder also scored in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In total, Johnson has made 59 appearances for the senior squad since 2004, netting 19 goals.”
DC United has had a storied past in the league’s brief history, winning the MLS Cup four times (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004). But its fortunes have fallen. The team ended the 2013 season with the worst record in MLS, with just three wins against 24 losses and seven ties, for a total of 16 points. The next-worst record in the 19-team league belonged to Chivas USA, with 26 points.
DC United begins its 2014 season at home on March 8 against Columbus at RFK Stadium.
Linda L says
Good Job Eddie!!!! Proud of you. Mike would of been proud of you too!!!