I am disgusted with Eddie Johnson's behavior after the US OPen Cup game between San Jose and Seattle. I was at the game, and tho i didnt see the hit, My buddy and i both heard it, it was that loud. It would appear that MLS agrees with my outrage, by the article they posted on mlssoccer: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/06/27/usoc-zayner-says-sounders-johnson-hit-me-my-face my question is, the article indicates two other recent altercations with Eddie. So what's his problem? Never grew up? Is he an ardent fan of Mike Tyson, Charlie sheen, Adam sandler, or all of the above? And is Sigi going to set him straight? Someone better.
Whatever. It's been overblown. Wasn't much of a punch. More like a push to the face/chin. Yeah EJ was acting like as ass but the SJ guy charged him as if he was going to do something beyond just words. Seen far worse in most American sports. S**t happens. Be happy these MLS teams actually took the competition seriously, unlike many others. I personally think hacking the crap out of a defender intentionally which we see somewhat frequently is worse as it can cause severe injury.
Grown Ass Man gonna be Grown Ass Man. Shouldn't his fall from National Team grace be enough for haters?
If you supported any other team than the one Steven Lenhart is on, I might have more respect for your opinion. But no, so long as Lenhart is in San Jose, the fans of San Jose should just shut the ******** up about any kind of sportsmanship as it just doesn't exist there.
As reported by the writers who cover the Quakes, it was enough of a punch to require treatment in the locker room after the game, give him a "shiner", and close his eye up a little. I guess this where someone posts "Seattle invented denial".
Defending EJ at this point is just stupid. He hit another player after the game was over. If Lenhart had punched a Seattle bench player after the game while taunting the bench and fans in Seattle, many of these fans defending EJ would be calling for Lenhart's head on a platter. But don't worry Lenhart is too classy to do something as bush league as EJ did!
Arguing Lenhart vs. EJ is like arguing between eating live maggots or baby turds. A classic lose - lose situation.
This thread reads like News of the World (soccer). What's-his-name came off the bench and pushed EJ as EJ was going from pitch to bench (the benches were on top of each other); EJ hit back. If he gave the guy a shiner (SJ is clearly technologically challenged, but no pictures of the innocent victim?), good on him. The reporters writing about this were saying Wondo says that what's-his-name says that EJ hit him, unprovoked. The video tells a different story. USSF presumably has access to all this and has not acted. Sounds like reason and truth prevailed. I'm no fan of Eddie's hijinx, but this was a horrible match with a horrible ref who lost control as soon as the game started. Very glad to move on to an honorable opponent, Chivas.
Oh right, I forgot about that incident (was it last year?) where Eddie Johnson's wife either filed for divorce or tried to kill him or his girlfriend, or something like that? Ya know, that would do alot to explain (but not justify) his hair trigger behavior.
Lenhart can be spectacularly annoying with his antics, even Quakes fans tire of his act at times, but, to my knowledge, as a Quake, he has not been sanctioned for violent conduct, or embellishment. Most of his cards are for stupid things like delay of game, or dissent.
Did EJ or the Sounders ever make a statement denying the accusations against Johnson? I am asking that because I just haven't heard anything, but, I don't spend time perusing Seattle forums or media. You would think they would try to defend the player and the image of the club if they were convinced he actually didn't punch Zayner.
Eddie's had "attitude problems" (to put it nicely) since, like, forever. I doubt it will ever change, at least while he is still a professional athlete.