Arena Lauds sudden Star Johnson
Arena Lauds Sudden Star Johnson 14/10/04
Following a three-goal substitute show in only his second international cap, new ‘Nat Eddie Johnson was busy taking commendations - most notably from boss Bruce Arena.
Following a three-goal substitute show in only his second international cap, new ‘Nat Eddie Johnson was busy taking commendations - most notably from boss Bruce Arena.
”He’s a player with tremendous potential and, obviously, his physical qualities are outstanding,” the coach told reporters. “When you bring a player like that into a game with 30 minutes left and opponents chasing the game and defenders tired, basically Eddie is going to be extremely dangerous.”
”I think with more experience and the right attitude… he’s going to be a very good player in the league and hopefully with the national team.”
The Dallas Burn forward ran his two game U.S. tally to four with a hat trick inside a late 17 minute span, the first time a substitute had pulled the feat with the National Team.
“This is one of those games where everything went well for me tonight,” said Johnson. “I got in at the time of the game where their defenders were tired.”
”Bruce told me the game was going to open up, and when I get the ball to run at those guys and use my pace to get some of the pressure off our defenders when I got in the game.”
”It was a good night for me,” he added. “I make hard runs in the box and at this level, nine times out of 10, if you make those runs you’re going to get the ball.”
”Eddie would be the first to tell you that he benefited from some work from his teammates in these last two games,” agreed Arena. “It’s not like he carried the whole load himself.”
”We told him to be set for getting into goal scoring positions and sticking the ball in the back of the net, and he did that.”
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