A balompie ride to the top - João Lucas de Souza Cardoso (Johnny) at Real Betis

Great Goal from outside the box. Curled it into the corner.

 

Great goal. One of the greatest yanks abroad weekends I can remember.

 

He's in insane form

 

I have to say, I thought he’d be a solid guy for Bétis and I just wasn’t expecting this type of immediate, tremendous impact. Glad to be wrong.

 

https://streamin.me/v/84231d5a

Had no idea he had that kind of shot in his arsenal.

I don't think I've ever been more wrong/surprised about how a player would perform after a transfer. He's been outrageously good in La Liga.

 

I don't think we've ever had an American transfer to a club at this level from outside a top 4 league and make such a mark this quickly.

And I don't think it's close either. Dude is ballin.

 

Cardoso highlights from the match.

Johnny Cardoso against Athletic Club - what a player, jugador #USMNT #VamoInter #DiaDeBetis https://t.co/sLw0vjJ18P

— rams are going up ole ole🇧🇦 (@dcfcnetti) February 25, 2024

 

For whatever reason, the guys who cut their teeth in the Brazilian league seem to (generalization incoming) have an easier time transitioning to the European leagues. Johnny's got 4 years of professional football under his belt at Internacional and was at that club 2014-2024. Ironically, he's probably spent less than 150 total days in the United States in his entire life -- I'd imagine his English is still really rough.

 

He had one similar to this blocked last week. He already figured out that he needed more deception in his set up and more accuracy in his finish.

Johnny has success in the frame of what his coach asks and has quickly built the trust of the coach and his teammates. He won't be at Betis for long unless he wants to (which he might)...he's exactly what big clubs want.

 

Stu Holden. From MLS to player of the year for Bolton in the premiership - despite suffering what turned out to be a career-destroying injury during the season. Man was he unreal for that sadly-truncated season.

But yeah, I had to think long and hard to come up with anything close.

 

The funny thing is that his key to success has not been to go out an be seen, but to take to coaching and keep it simple, which has allowed his skill and soccer IQ to shine.

 

When Joe Max-Moore went to Everton, he scored 5 goals in his first 5 games. He wasn't that good, so I was shocked, but he was crazy hot for that stretch.

 

Any 6’s or 8’s coming back from injury on Betis? Well it won’t matter because Cardoso’s cemented himself in the lineup.

 

Yeah that’s a good shout.

 

Landon showed up at Everton and was immediately their player of the month.

 

I saw a young Casimiro. How long take him to Barcelona/ Real Madrid?

 

He’s been at Betis less then 8 weeks… can we chill with this stuff?