Photo by John Todd/ISIPhotos.com
By IVES GALARCEP
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — When Aron Johannsson stepped off the plane here on Tuesday with the U.S. Men’s National Team, he was already well aware that there would likely be an icy reception from Costa Rican fans when the Americans arrived ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier.
Johannsson learned quickly just how much animosity there is after the U.S. team’s snow-covered World Cup qualifying win last March. Two eggs were thrown at the team bus, coming close to the young striker, who took it in stride as part of the experience of being a U.S. player in hostile territory.
“It was a little bit more than I expected, but I guess they’re excited for the game, and so are we,” Johannsson said of the team’s reception upon arrival here Tuesday night.
“We’re focused on the game. We’re focused on the three points, and going to a World Cup.”
While it remains unclear just what role Johannsson will play in the upcoming qualifiers, he has made a good early impression on the team since making his debut against Bosnia & Herzegovina last month. The AZ striker was impressive in a brief cameo that offered a good glimpse of the qualities he can bring to the U.S. forward pool.
“He had limited action, but you can see his confidence in the box,” U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said of Johannsson. “Trying to make people miss. Taking that extra touch, trying to get a shot off.
“His link-up play was really good too. I think there were a few times in the Bosnia game where he pulled off and came a little bit deeper, got the ball and connected the play,” Howard said. “Again, a ton of confidence. I don’t know where these guys get it from because I didn’t have that when I was a kid.
“It’s exciting to have them be a part of the group now,” Howard said. “I know we’re kind of at a late stage here, but it’s awesome to have new faces, and fresh faces, that are eager and hungry.”
Johannsson comes into U.S. camp on a roll for AZ, having scored goals in five straight games in all competitions to start the season.
“I’m focused on doing good, and focused on filling the shoes Jozy (Altidore) left,” Johannsson said. “Those are big shoes to fill so I’ve got to keep scoring goals and getting three points for my team.”
Johannsson’s new team, the U.S. team, has welcomed him with open arms, and he responded to that with an impressive debut vs. Bosnia and & Herzegovina.
“They’ve been really welcoming but it’s soccer, and soccer is a universal language,” Johannsson said. “It doesn’t matter if I’ve been with the guys a year or three days, I can play soccer with them. Now it’s just focusing on getting to know them even better.
“I’m not surprised (by the warm reception) because Jozy told me that the guys were amazing and it was a nice group of guys,” Johannsson said. “They’ve been real welcoming and even after two days in Bosnia I felt like I was part of the group.”
The 22-year-old striker admitted feeling a weight off his shoulders after finally making a decision on which national team to play for.
“I was thinking about it for almost a year or more so it’s a big relief and I couldn’t be more happy about my decision,” Johannsson said. “Now I’m just focused on training well and preparing for the game.”
As for the harsh response from the Icelandic soccer federation after his decision to play for the United States instead of the country where he was raised, and represented on the youth level?
“It’s the first time when someone Icelandic doesn’t play for the Icelandic team so I guess they didn’t know how to react, and some people were mad, but most of the people there support my decision and are rooting for me to go to the World Cup next year.”
Johannsson and the U.S. can take a major step toward securing a World Cup place with a win on Friday, and the U.S. team’s newest attacking option could wind up playing a key role in securing that berth.
Never really thought about it until now but Johannson is the Icelandic Geoseppi Rossi haha. I’m sure he’s getting it bad in Iceland just like Rossi is here in the states.
Mason IS KING!
First, I just really like eggs.
You can hard boil ‘em, soft boil em, poach ‘em. Souffle em, bake em. Orange Julius em. Gin Fizz em. There’s pickled eggs, omlettes. Scrambled eggs. Fry em sunny side up, over easy over medium over hard. Tortilla. Coddled egg. Basted egg. Shirred egg. Steamed egg. Eggs on toast. Frog in the hole. Croque Madame. Deviled eggs. Egg foo youn. Egg drop soup. Eggs Benedict. Huevos rancheros. Loco moco. Migas. Egg sushi. Tea egg. Egg dumplings.
Then there’s the sauces… There’s hollandaise, mayonnaise, custard… and baking
That… That’s about all you can do with eggs.
Secondly, it’s not a joke. Eggs are a damn good source of protein, vitamins and calories, and have been for almost 9000 years. I’m not poverty stricken and I wouldn’t waste more than two either. Were I, I wouldn’t even throw one.
+1, I like eggs for dinner or putting eggs in breakfast burritos. Each egg has 7 grams of protein.
There is so much brilliance oozing from this comments section. Well done, gentlemen.
My guess is he won’t play a lot against CR, maybe some against Mexico, but probably a cameo. If the US gets 4 points in the next two games I’m guessing he and Brooks will get a start or two in the last two against Panama and Jamaica..
BTW, in some photos he is a dead ringer for young kevin bacon. Eric Galaxy must’ve been born long after Footloose.
and the “scores” bit of the tune has to have a lot of gusto. I picture a tiny Andrew WK singing it in my head.
weird, pretty certain i hit reply in line… oh well
On a side note, when did making all those teen movies of the 80’s evolve to making vampire movies? although “Superbad” a few years ago was outstanding
Here’s to AJ running a clinic on the backline.
http://www.geekologie.com/2011/02/15/beer-me.gif
Now we know why he turned off his targeting computer….
It was blocking the cup holder.
Agudelo, Arriola, Boyd, Johannsson, Altidore…ect. Our future for forwards/strikers is looking very bright,
Arriola is a pure winger.
Ahh, that means finally we could play an actual 4-3-3.
I have a feeling this guys is going to be contributing to the USMNT for a long time.
If EJ starts, I figure that after about 30-45 minutes of him looking scared and being stripped of the ball, Aron will get his chance. He looked far better than EJ in Bosnia, I have no reason to think he can’t do it again. At anyrate, the ball is in EJs court now. Swim or sink
GAM ain’t scared of nobody
eh
he’s hit or miss though isn’t he? You either get a brilliant showing or an absolute stinker.
If its an stinker than no reason to keep him on.
a*
any player at his position can also be marginalized by the service provided. EJ has shown me that he can be a big game player and finisher. Aside from Altidore he’s one of our best assets up front
EJ scored a goal in his last stinker.
Kevin Bacon and eggs! *rimshot*
Nice.
“They’ve been really welcoming but it’s soccer, and soccer is a universal language,”
I love that quote, speaks to his mindset and soccer sense.
This guy is trash compared to Wondowlowski.
-said no one ever.
WHERES FREDDY ADU!!!1!!
In Brazil. Gets zero playing time there. Won’t be there long if that’s going to stay the same.
So much insight!!!!
I suck a lot of €ock and I am retarded and a @sshole. Ty men.
Oh no! They threw an egg near him! Is he okay?!
Your not in Iceland anymore buddy, welcome to CONCACAF!
If I didn’t already know his age I would totally believe if someone told me he was 15.
He’s not? I thought he was only 22 in Icelandic years.
1 Icelandic year = .75 normal years
honestly though, who throws eggs?
and only two of them at that? what they couldn’t afford an entire dozen?
The rest were for dinner.
Poverty jokes…well played
First, I just really like eggs.
You can hard boil ’em, soft boil em, poach ’em. Souffle em, bake em. Orange Julius em. Gin Fizz em. There’s pickled eggs, omlettes. Scrambled eggs. Fry em sunny side up, over easy over medium over hard. Tortilla. Coddled egg. Basted egg. Shirred egg. Steamed egg. Eggs on toast. Frog in the hole. Croque Madame. Deviled eggs. Egg foo youn. Egg drop soup. Eggs Benedict. Huevos rancheros. Loco moco. Migas. Egg sushi. Tea egg. Egg dumplings.
Then there’s the sauces… There’s hollandaise, mayonnaise, custard… and baking
That… That’s about all you can do with eggs.
Secondly, it’s not a joke. Eggs are a damn good source of protein, vitamins and calories, and have been for almost 9000 years. I’m not poverty stricken and I wouldn’t waste more than two either. Were I, I wouldn’t even throw one.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let no one claim that Internet Commenter Mason does not like eggs. Because: The man likes eggs.
That is all.
Damn right I do, but store-bought egg nog can go to hell.
Mason knows what’s up
There was plenty of protein in eggs even more than 9000 years ago 😉
Mason…you forgot egg frittata.
“Hehe, a frittata… Lou and his frittata’s……. hehe, heh… Man he likes eggs.”
Bubba…
salmonella
Well played Bubba…
You forgot one very important role for eggs–to produce baby chickens. In fact, I believe that is their original intent.
Hmm, I don’t know about that. I think chickens are engineered and cloned in labs.
suck my eggs then
And they’re even used for gotcha jokes in the movie Porkys… for those of us old enough to remember
And the irony is that the bus company and the employee’s who’ll have to clean up the mess, are probably Costa Rican fans.
The chicken in the back can only lay so fast.
You obviously have never been around Chicago during Halloween
Dude looks NOTHING like Kevin Bacon. Can we kill that please?
dude looks emaciated in that pic. can we get him a bacon sandwich please? j/k j/k
Somebody is on a roll today! Lol
Reminds me of Ren McCormack
To the tune of “We’re not gonna take it” by Twisted Sister
You must be mistaken
No, he’s not Kevin Bacon
He’s Aron Johannsson
and he scores
And Matt wins the internet. Pack it up, everybody. We’re done here.
Freakin’ awesome. I hope we hear that on Friday… and Tuesday.
Well played, Sir.
Genius. Just petitioned to the USA Capo guy on twitter to make sure this song is sung in C-bus!
We heard it, er read it here first. I’m going to sing it every time he plays now.
I singing it in Austin at the AO watch if he plays
I concur. Wins internet.
It is deeply stuck in my head already
Awesome!
Seriously, someone forward that to the outlaws and sam’s army. I gotta hear them sing it after his first goal. Well done Matt.
great stuff!
I can see the resemblance. But the joke is overkill at this point… it’s just not funny anymore.
Booooooooooooooo more like killjoy
really looking forward to watching this kid grow. hoping he gets some solid minutes in the next two games.