Sounders make big trade, acquiring US National Team forward Eddie Johnson
Friday, February 17, 2012 | 4:28 pm
After spending three seasons trying to find a permanent solution at forward along with Fredy Montero, Seattle Sounders FC made a big move trying to do just that Friday, acquiring U.S. National Team forward Eddie Johnson.
In exchange for the 27-year-old Johnson, Seattle gave up forward Mike Fucito and midfielder Lamar Neagle, both of whom played significant roles last season.
"It's always difficult to part ways with two quality individuals who have contributed greatly to the success of our first three years," Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said in a press release. "We saw this as a unique opportunity to bring a player in with World Cup and international experience who can help us in our quest to win the MLS Cup."
While Montero has been a constant at one staring spot for three seasons, Seattle has tried a number of options at the other forward position over the past three seasons, including Nate Jaqua, Blaise Nkufo, Fucito, Roger Levesque and O'Brian White. In Johnson, Seattle is banking on finding a permanent partner up front for Montero.
Johnson has made 41 appearances with the national team since 2004, netting 12 goals, including eight goals in nine World Cup qualifying games. Johnson played in Major League Soccer for four seasons before signing with Fulham of the English Premier League in 2007. He played in 19 games for Fulham (, then played on load with Cardiff City (England), Aris (Greece) and Preston North End (England).
Because Johnson has national team experience, he had to through the league's allocation process to rejoin Major League Soccer. He was selected by the expansion Montreal Impact with the first pick, then traded to Seattle.
Before the trade, Fucito, 25, was a top candidate to start at forward alongside Montero, battling Sammy Ochoa for the starting spot. In three seasons with Sounders FC, Fucito scored three goals with two assists in 23 appearances and added five goalsin the 2010 and 2011 CONCACAF Champions League and two goals in last year's U.S. Open Cup.
Neagle, a Federal Way native, had a breakout year in 2011, scoring five goals with two assists in 23 league appearances in 2011. He earned MLS Player of the Week honors in August for his hat trick against the Columbus Crew. Still Neagle figured to battle for playing time in a midfield loaded with depth. The addition of Danish winger Christian Sivebaek this offseason would have meant even more competition for Neagle.
In exchange for the 27-year-old Johnson, Seattle gave up forward Mike Fucito and midfielder Lamar Neagle, both of whom played significant roles last season.
"It's always difficult to part ways with two quality individuals who have contributed greatly to the success of our first three years," Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said in a press release. "We saw this as a unique opportunity to bring a player in with World Cup and international experience who can help us in our quest to win the MLS Cup."
While Montero has been a constant at one staring spot for three seasons, Seattle has tried a number of options at the other forward position over the past three seasons, including Nate Jaqua, Blaise Nkufo, Fucito, Roger Levesque and O'Brian White. In Johnson, Seattle is banking on finding a permanent partner up front for Montero.
Johnson has made 41 appearances with the national team since 2004, netting 12 goals, including eight goals in nine World Cup qualifying games. Johnson played in Major League Soccer for four seasons before signing with Fulham of the English Premier League in 2007. He played in 19 games for Fulham (, then played on load with Cardiff City (England), Aris (Greece) and Preston North End (England).
Because Johnson has national team experience, he had to through the league's allocation process to rejoin Major League Soccer. He was selected by the expansion Montreal Impact with the first pick, then traded to Seattle.
Before the trade, Fucito, 25, was a top candidate to start at forward alongside Montero, battling Sammy Ochoa for the starting spot. In three seasons with Sounders FC, Fucito scored three goals with two assists in 23 appearances and added five goalsin the 2010 and 2011 CONCACAF Champions League and two goals in last year's U.S. Open Cup.
Neagle, a Federal Way native, had a breakout year in 2011, scoring five goals with two assists in 23 league appearances in 2011. He earned MLS Player of the Week honors in August for his hat trick against the Columbus Crew. Still Neagle figured to battle for playing time in a midfield loaded with depth. The addition of Danish winger Christian Sivebaek this offseason would have meant even more competition for Neagle.
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