 |
Eddie Johnson
(Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) |
After Steve Zakuani was injured at Colorado last year, the Sounders have lacked a goal-scoring forward to pair with Fredy Montero. The Sounders attempted to remedy that situation yesterday by trading Mike Fucito and Lamar Neagle to Montreal for Eddie Johnson. Montreal had only recently drafted Johnson with the first pick in the Allocation Draft. Fucito and Neagle are young players who represent potential. They will fit in well on an expansion club building for the future. Johnson will turn 28 next month. He is a former MLS star and starter on U.S. Men's National Team. The last few seasons have not gone well for him, however. He signed with Fulham of the EPL in 2008 but never really got a chance to play there. He then bounced around England's lower divisions and Greece. Last year was a lost year. He thought he was going to sign with Puebla in the Mexican League, but at the last minute the Mexican club withdrew the contract. Thus, Johnson is a bit of a mystery player. If he can regain his past form, he will make the Sounders stronger. If he can't regain that form, the Sounders could rue letting Fucito and Neagle go.
I like the deal for the Sounders. It's a bit of a risk. Fucito and Neagle were fan favorites and both have potential. However, the Sounders need a player to put them over the top. They have hopes of winning both CONCACAF Champions League and the MLS Cup. Johnson gives them a chance to beat top clubs like Santos Laguna and the L.A. Galaxy. There's risk, sure. But I like the move and applaud the Sounders for not standing pat.
No comments:
Post a Comment