Rojiblanco y Azul: João Lucas de Souza Cardoso (Johnny) at Club Atlético de Madrid

Well, that was one of the funniest games I've ever watched. You could practically hear Connor Gallagher wishing he could undo his transfer as his old friends beat him up.

 

He was on the plane with Spurs fans...

Mauricio Pochettino spotted by Spurs fans on a plane to watch Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham… 👀

🗣️ “WE WANT YOU BACK!”

Just look at that smile as he waves… ☺️

This club desperately needs him back… just a simple wave brings the vibes back… pic.twitter.com/vghSBIN7NU

— Football Confidential 🌐 (@footballconfid1) March 10, 2026

 

Anyone know how Cardoso played?

 

I had one eye on it. He looked good in his typical deep counter press, ball-winning anticipation. He is always pretty good when the game is set up with ball-retention midfielders around him so he can put out fires. Spurs were so bad…

 

Into the Calderon rated him a 7, tied with Pubil and Llorente for third best.

In a high-scoring match such as this, it can be easy to overlook the work that Cardoso completed in the middle of the pitch. The American dutifully disrupted Tottenham’s buildup play throughout the match, winning back possession with timely tackles and physical interventions. With players like Llorente able to take hold of some of the more creative distribution, it gave more freedom for Cardoso to do the dirty work that he does best.

https://www.intothecalderon.com/atl...eague-player-ratings-alvarez-griezmann-kinsky

 

Johnny vs Spurs (CL)

Dude was all over the place. Most distance covered by either team, 12.5km. Played in a true #6, no double pivot here as Griezmann (outstanding) and Alvarez played in a very advance CAM roles. This mean Johnny had a ton of space to cover.

Off the ball, he was always sprinting to check to the ball and moving forward to support the play. Has a good instinct to always immediately move when the ball is played.. example, he runs to support the RB with the ball, RB plays it forward to CAM and Johnny immediately pivots his run forward as the ball is kicked to be in a supporting spot where the ball is going. (If that makes sense). It's cool to watch.

With the ball, overall pretty basic stuff, not on the ball a ton but he had 2 really nice over the top balls into the channel perfectly weighted for the winger to run onto. Had 1 giveaway in the first, nothing dangerous but then a bad one in the 2nd in his own third trying to lead his guy just too much. Oof.

Another thing I noticed, he likes to make an easy square pass and pivot his run forward (like he's looking for a 1-2). He wants to pass and move forward into space to get the ball in a more advanced position then when he started. He's not just a passive ball mover.

Defensively, had 3 great tackles in the 1st 20 minutes 2 being really high up the field in a good team press and then one tracking back well a few minutes later.

You could tell he was beat from all the work from 80 minutes on but it didnt stop him from making an Adams-style cruncher in the 85' in the Spurs half, winning the ball of course and getting a nice applause.

Solid game from Johnny, nothing spectacular but I like the guy and his playing style. Looked as good as anyone on the field in the QF of the CL..

 

Johnny is on the bench. Atletico (4th, but game-in-hand) hosting Getafe (T-8th).

​

 

Looking more and more like it will be a DNP.

 

Unused sub, yet Vargas gets a start.

 

Damn. Obed Vargas starting over Johnny Cardoso today for Atletico. That cuts deep for #USMNT fans in multiple ways. The combo of Vargas and Mora is going to be a problem for a long time.

— Dump and Chase (@DumpChase21) March 14, 2026

Damn. Obed Vargas starting over Johnny Cardoso today for Atletico. That cuts deep for #USMNT fans in multiple ways. The combo of Vargas and Mora is going to be a problem for a long time.

 

Does it cut deep? Johnny just layering the Champions League game and Obed gets the rotated league game.

 

Spurs today at 4pm on Paramount+

 

Perhaps a bit too relaxed ...

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On to the quarterfinals

 

Johnny Cardoso had an insane match against Tottenham yesterday on away soil. His progress is showing and his comfort with playing under Simeone is getting better. We have an American playing for one of the best teams in the world. PRIDE🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/oz2QdMtDFl

— The Bolivian Yank (@TheBolivianYank) March 19, 2026

 

Really nice highlight package. That was a very physical match. Had a few nifty touches that I haven't seen him do before. Great time to be coming into form like he has been.

 

The play that stood in live time was him breaking up an attack early in the second half, shielding the ball and then hitting a progressive outlet pass that led to quick passing combination and the counter attack for the key goal from Alvarez.

 

Paywall:

Johnny Cardoso comes in for praise from Atlético coach - Soccer America

Diego Simeone, the longtime Atlético head coach, has praised Cardoso as a stabilizing force for his work to recover the ball.
“He’s been fantastic,” Simeone said. “He’s been working consistently and had a high-level performance.”

 

Madrid derby today at 4PM Eastern

 

ESPN Desportes or ESPN+...be there or ELSE!!!

 

XI ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/bloIlMYhg6

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) March 22, 2026

Big match for our boy!

 

Atlético lost 3-2. Johnny played 58 minutes. Got a 6.3 on fotmob, only better than their keeper (who got a shockingly bad 5.2).

 

Johnny played very well in the 1st half.

 

Johnny vs Madrid:

Never gets old watching our guys hold their own in games like this. Back to earth a bit for Johnny after a couple solid performances, obviously Madrid at home are a whole different animal.

They played two 6's this game with Koke next to him and they sat way back to absorbed the onslaught. Johnny didn’t have a very good game to be honest but did have a few moments to be happy with as a fan.

Defensively he was positionally aware and disciplined and still finds a way to step and force the ball to move. He was calling out marks and rotating very nice with Koke and the CB; Madrid were moving all over the place.

I notice he's able to poke the ball away multiple times a game every game, no big tackles or crunches just gets his foot in and breaks up plays, a few really nice ones.

Got called for his one heavy tackle that was all ball but went to ground and had some follow through, never a foul though. Then Vini baited him into lunging in and got a yellow. (Misses next game vs Barca). Didnt need to do it and unfortunately rendered him a bit more passive after that.

Game seemed to be a tad fast/quality as he was giving the ball away twice in his own third early in the 2nd, and a few shaky moments in the 1st. Other than that, lots of quick ball moving/shuttling, but does look to progress first if open.

Pulled in the 57', rightfully so. Still fun to watch, he moves alot but not frantically, covers alot of ground and usually wasn't out of place in such a big stage.

 

Charles Boehm is at today's USMNT training session, and says that Johnny is absent (along with Miles Robinson, which was expected, as he was ruled out of both friendlies).

Hopefully just USSF doing favors for Atletico??

edit: this report has been echoed by Jeff Carlisle and Jonathan Tannenwald. Johnny not training ahead of tomorrow's match vs Portugal