Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
Eddie Johnson is the latest U.S. national team player to return to MLS.
On a conference call with reporters, MLS executive vice president of competition Todd Durbin announced that the 27-year-old former FC Dallas and Kansas City striker has signed with the league and will go through the allocation order to be assigned to a team.
Chivas USA is first in the allocation order, and the following five teams are the Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC, Chicago Fire, Sporting Kansas City and Seattle Sounders.
Johnson's contract with Fulham expired at the end of this past season, one that he spent primarily on loan with Preston North End. He joins Benny Feilhaber and Freddy Adu as U.S. national team players to join MLS during the season.
What do you think of this development? Where do you see Johnson winding up?
Share your thoughts below.
Apparently EJ has pulled out of his agreement with MLS, citing more money.
Apparently he thinks he can cash in on his miserable European adventure.
I hope the Dynamo gets him and he can turn things around. GAM is not all that likeable at the moment, but I think he was treated badly at Fulham. He was set for faillure from the get-go there.
Did you seriously just imply that the English Championship is a better league than Bundesliga 1?
oh great!! now in addition to washed up euros, no name latinos, we now see mls signing washed up americans…yippee
Let’s face it though..even if they are going to top leagues and failing, they are probably making more money than they would having a successful career in the MLS. Sad but true.
Good news. I’m glad he stuck it out for so long, and he actually did okay in the Championship, for a league that probably didn’t suit his talents very well.
I’m liking what I’ve been seeing out of MLS this year on the field and off.
When Mr. Johnson comes back, Major league Soccer is gonna become Major league STUD. 😉
Houston has no cap space. Not sure that TFC does either. Chicago seems the logical choice, although I don’t think he makes them much better.
Johnson would be useful and nowhere near the cost of Tagoe. If we do somehow swing this one it will not stop thepursuot of a top quality striker
Houston seems ready.
Well said, and factual.
“…Not true at all actually…his game has improved a great deal during his stay in Europe…”
I couldn’t find any statistics or coaches evaluations to confirm this, but it’s possible.
then that’s a poor trade…He can still at least contribute as a part time player.
Yup… still he has already shown he can get by at MLS level.
How many of those 18k would be empty every game?
They “got” rid of JPA.
No it won’t-the new rule doesn’t mandate that DP’s make a maximum of 200k, rather, that’s the maximum salary hit-Beckam makes millions but his salary for purposes of the salary cap is 300 something thousand.
He continued to get time with the national team leading up to the WC, and never appeared to have learned much, like how to make a run, or how to do anything off the ball.
yes please…. just buy out the Silverbacks, expand the stadium site and run shuttles from Doraville Marta…
that place can expand to 18K in a heartbeat!!
Fair enough… he scored a nice goal in the Bremen game…maybe he thought he could play that into a night with the blonde… hehe
Actually Scored a goal off a header not credited to him as it hit the post and keepers back and was officially an own goal but was all his doing… had a beautiful assist the next match and also should have won a penalty in the next game after that… like I have said… has had no luck in the UK…a return will be good for his confidence.
Im quite positive he also scored 0 goals during that time for Preston…
I was wondering the same thing. I’m betting with Angel they pass on Johnson.
Why would that be a bad thing?
Second City, screw you man. I just spit coke all over my laptop from laughing so hard.
“Chivas USA is first in the allocation order” but we all know they’ll pass on him 😀
LA Galaxy
Make an Atlanta team and bring Johnson in and Clark.
yes, because “talent” has been the primary criteria for Chivas USA to be interested in a player’s services.
their current squad reflects this premise, obviously.
I can definately see Seattle trading up in allocation here if they have too. They are in dire need of a a quick striker that Montero, Rosales, & Fernandez can put through. TFC & Chicago may also be interested in EJ..
And had some talent.
What did LA get???
Tea-baggers must feel proud….”All hail to the corporation!”
the only problem with the exodus is the fact too many players skipped steps or made jumps waaaay too soon. There are leagues in between Demark and England. Serie B, Ligue 1, Bunesliga 1 and 2 are all places to go before trying your luck in the EPL, Championchip, etc, neverind Mexico, Argentina or Brasil… It seems like too many players wanted to get to top flite too soon. EJ was one of them.
Plus, MLS is growing by leaps and bounds that staying longer makes more sense
Nice one. Thanks for the chuckle.
Tea Party? That is Obama budget math. Maybe you could write a budget for Obama that won’t get voted down 97-0. Btw, where is Obama’s current budget?
only if his last name was Eduardo Juanson.
Or it could allow teams to pay their young talent competitive wages without taking a big hit to the salary cap.
wow.. didn’t know that was in the works for them. but ej could still be a good pick up for them if Fredy ends up with Ajax. EJ and Cisse… could b nice