Update on EJ?

[DMunited]

Was his injury serious? I've looked on the boards and u.s. soccer's homepage and can't seem to find anything. Everyone seems to have him starting tommorrow so I assume he's OK. Can anyone confirm that?

[sabretarheel]

The most recent thing I've heard was a "bruised knee," but that was taken from a post here in the forums, and I don't think a link was provided. At any rate, didn't appear overly serious.

[TabLalas]

EJ needs to go home, rest, and take some Cowboy the f-k up pills. If it weren't for his speed, that guy would be a waste of a jersey number.

[dcole]

ussoccer blog from yesterday says: "On the injury front, Eddie Johnson continues to improve, and remains listed as day-to-day."

[IndividualEleven]

"mild knee strain"

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AqyXdHxO.wL9NwAXfaPx31kmw7YF?slug=ap-goldcup-trinidad-us&prov=ap&type=lgns

[aceterp]

I just don't get EJ. So many chances, so many poor performances.. I just don' t think he can make it at this level. If he is hurt, just bench him... Twells and Ching are clearly playing better than EJ.

[TabLalas]

He needs an injection of testicles.

[IndividualEleven]

EJ is a magnet for stupid people.

[szazzy]

EJ is a magnet for stupid people.

So is USA Men: News & Analysis.

[IndividualEleven]

So is USA Men: News & Analysis.

Lately it's been. I don't know why. The tone of discussions used to be higher.

[whereischarlie]

I just don't get EJ. So many chances, so many poor performances.. I just don' t think he can make it at this level. If he is hurt, just bench him... Twells and Ching are clearly playing better than EJ.

I dont know why I try, but anyways to say he can't make it at this level makes no sense, were you not around for WC qualfying? he was fantastic and then he got injured, his comeback has been slow, but he has scored a ton of goals in league play and there isn't exactly alot of better options at this moment.

[CommonSense]

UMMM WHAT?!?!?!

Did someone that actually watched EJ's game against T&T say CHING looked better?

Ching missed 2 or 3 sitters, Eddie made excellent runs that were consistently called offsides (incorrectly). Eddie easily finished his one golden opportunity, Ching almost ********ed up his 1 goal and missed 2 or 3 EASY EASY opportunities.

[Martin Fischer]

UMMM WHAT?!?!?!

Did someone that actually watched EJ's game against T&T say CHING looked better?

Ching missed 2 or 3 sitters, Eddie made excellent runs that were consistently called offsides (incorrectly). Eddie easily finished his one golden opportunity, Ching almost ********ed up his 1 goal and missed 2 or 3 EASY EASY opportunities.

It is true that the offsides calls against EJ were pure BS.

[Pegasus]

Ching missed 2 or 3 sitters, Eddie made excellent runs that were consistently called offsides (incorrectly).

I knew someone would say he played poorly even though he was called off incorrectly multiple times. Kudos for paying attention. Had he not been called off and missed all of those the criticism would be warranted. I thought he played a lot better in the T&T game than the Guatemala game. Hope to see improvement as the tournament progresses and his MLS confidence caries over to the international arena.

[Dirt McGirt]

So is USA Men: News & Analysis.Yanks Abroad and MLS General get my vote.

So much hate for a guy that's been tearing MLS up. I wonder if people realize that even the best strikers don't finish all of their chances. He was making good off the ball runs and was getting into space. The linesman was woefully poor on Saturday, but no mention of that. I would rather have my striker ready to spring an offside trap rather then running back to get stuck in and then be out of position to counter. Meanwhile Gooch looked awful and gets sent off and almost everyone wants to blame the ref.

[eric515]

He needs an injection of testicles.

And that would help a bruised knee how?

Seriously - we're already into the next round. Save him for the Quarters...he would have scored a Hatty against TnT had it not been for 1 member of the Panamanian delegations love affair with his Offsides flag.

[S.J. Jim]

UMMM WHAT?!?!?!

Did someone that actually watched EJ's game against T&T say CHING looked better?

Ching missed 2 or 3 sitters

Please. You don't know the meaning of the term "sitter". Those were not "easy" chances. Give the T&T keeper some credit for coming off his line well (he also stopped a few point blank shots, and nearly got a touch on EJ's finish- he wasn't a bad keeper).

Ching was solid all day in possession and passing, and HUSTLE. He gave up his body (and his head) a couple of times as well. By contrast, EJ opted not to go up for a couple of 50/50 balls in the air.

[Dirt McGirt]

Please. You don't know the meaning of the term "sitter". Those were not "easy" chances. Give the T&T keeper some credit for coming off his line well (he also stopped a few point blank shots, and nearly got a touch on EJ's finish- he wasn't a bad keeper).

Ching was solid all day in possession and passing, and HUSTLE. He gave up his body (and his head) a couple of times as well. By contrast, EJ opted not to go up for a couple of 50/50 balls in the air.Has anyone ever seen Samuel Eto get stuck in or for that matter RVN?

[matador11]

Would much rather have EJ up front with Ching than Donovan and Twellman together. Say what you want about EJ (and lots has already been said), but he is always a threat to score. Yes, he seems timid at times. Yes, unless he gets the ball played to feet he it's a lost cause. And yes there are WAY too many backward passes when he should be taking people on.

BUT, none of our other forwards have his athleticism. You simply cannot teach his speed, strenght and balance. Until we find a better solution, which I have yet to see, we must persist with EJ and hope he can return to his WC 06 qualifying form.

[smokarz]

well, i hope he stay injured, never recover and stay the hell away from the USMNT.

praise the lord!!