What's the deal with EJ?

No, you're not alone on this. Northside posted basically the same thoughts in the Burn-Revs [R] thread. And in fact, I've yet to run a Burn fan who's totally sold on EJ.

Who are the fans who are continually singing his praises? The guys who want to see him start every game for us? Why it's the guys like Tron, the Wanderer, and some of the others who follow the U-20's and who post occasionally on this board.

I started a thread earlier this season encouraging that EJ be given the chance to start. But that was back when Cerritos was in his massive slump and Rhine was (and is) being inconsistent. Since no one but Kreis was getting the job done for us at forward, I thought it was worth giving Johnson several starts to see if he was ready for prime time.

And, to be honest, I still think it's worth giving him another year here to see if his level of play will improve. He is, after all, only 18. But if he's still struggling next year -- making the giveaway that lead's to an opponent's score, making bad decisions on 2 on 1 breakaways, etc -- I'd like to see him traded for whatever we can get in order to give him a fresh start somewhere else.

 

I don't think he's being played properly. He's the only forward we've got who has any speed at all, but do we ever send long through balls out of the midfield to take advantage of this speed? No. Instead we appear to be coaching him to play like Kreis or Rhine - get open up top then turn your back to goal with the ball and wait for the defense to get back while our midfield comes up. It's very frustrating really. Kreis doesn't have the speed to directly attack defenses, Rhine is afraid to shoot when he attacks, and EJ apparently is coached not to attack directly.

Remember how NY used the speedy Faria against us two games ago? That is how Johnson should be played. He should be way up top, trying to get isolated with single defenders, and looking to make diagonal speed runs onto long balls versus the last defender.

If he does wind up with another team, I guarantee this is how he will be played.

 

Wasn't he dominating in preseaon? I seem to remember him getting like a goal a game, especially against those Chilean teams.

I know preseason scoring doesn't make necessarily make him legit, but what I'm wondering if he's playing any differently now, style wise?

 

Yes, Johnson did have a very good preseason. But keep in mind there's a big difference in defensive intensity between a preseason scrimmage against a Chillean team and a regular season MLS match.

 

I don't understand this either, why have we been playing like that all season. Is this something Jefferies picked up from Goonville and decided to bring here? I mean it works (and looks beautiful) sometimes but I think defenses have adapted to it.

If E.J. is going to be affective this season he needs to have balls sent through to him via ground or air. And GD it stay onside, what was that 5 offsides in like 25 mins?

 

Excellent point.

Although I generally like the style of play Dallas is now playing, it would be an excellent idea to open it up occasionally with diagonal speed runs.

While the Burn's strength lies in possession-style play, if the offense doesn't occasionally try the long ball to keep the defense honest, the opponents defense can get away with pushing up and bottling up the Burn midfield.

 

Well EJ has scored a few goals lately, even in his limited time. I wonder how he would do if he were able to get into a rythem of consistent starts paired with a first string forward like Kreis to take off some pressure.

Yes, I am a proponent of EJ playing, and I'm an avid follower of the Juniors Team board. I am more than a casual or occasional poster, I read your board every week and almost every day. I tend not to post too much on it because I realize that being a United fan you'd rather have most of your insight from your fans, but I like to add a little where I can.

But the fact is that Johnson has had a very disjointed season. If he had not had the injury I have very little doubts that he'd have started at least a third of the games this season. And, I think that perception prevented him from starting more once he returned.

Well, if you guys aren't sold on his talent, fine, but I think once he starts scoring like Ruiz and Twellman you'll be talking about how fantastic he is. And frankly, Buddle is already blossoming, and EJ is and has always been ahead of Buddle. Think about that for a bit, then watch the two in action and make your own assessments.

I don't think most of you realize how good this guy already is, and I'm quite sure that the majority way underestimate his future success. I'd pick him #1 overall if he were in the 2003 SuperDraft. Every year the SuperDraft produces good players (Bocanegra, Faria, Twellman, etc.) so that's saying quite a lot.

If this time next season you'r still saying that you don't know what the big deal is about EJ, and he has no injury problems, I'll be shocked. Time will tell, but I think your opinions will change next season.

-Tron

 

I hope you're right about EJ, Tron.

How would you compare the defense you see in U-20 tournaments with that you typically see in MLS? Is it similar in speed of play, intensity and in the space defenders give opponents? If not, could that be a factor in Johnson's failure to light it up in MLS?

 

i know one thing for sure... EJ was used as a 'dummy' most of the Revs game. He created lanes where he could have legitimate runs, spreading the defense... but we chose to use him as a decoy on SEVERAL occasions, then passing off to a different direction.

I actually think this is a very acceptable practice and a good setup for later threats in the game - given the defenders tendencies to expect the play to go in a different direction than EJ.

BUT, given the fact that EJ is VERY young and impressionable; he can't handle the 'seemingly ignorant' play from the midfielders who are 'playing off' him. I noticed on a few 'of these occasions' - that he was getting frustrated at not getting the ball when he went on 'these runs' and diagonals.

Ahhhh... so be it. Such is the curse/blessing of having a talent like EJ. Unless he's surrounded by U-20's, he's not gonna feel like he's 'part of the squad'. These things take time, and that's all there is to it. ... certainly would be nice to see him have some success with, say... Ronnie Obrien, in the last game of the season.

 

Well it is entirely different playing forward and defense. If you are successful 90% of the time on defense and break down 10% of the time you are a horrible defender. If you are successful 10% of the time (AKA score a goal) and are unsuccessful 90% of the time, you are a fantastic goal scorer. So, defenders rarely play at an early age. If you don't agree with my numbers, look at Mathis of NY as the goal scorer and Burns of KC as the defender.

When a defender starts at a young age, it is usually either on the flanks or in the midfield, but almost never in central defense on the back line. That's why Jeffries has been playing Bussey in the midfield or at right back and Stone in midfield. Both are probably Dmids. Also, a young defender can be adequately covered if the adjacent players are all veterans. That's why Morrow and Bonseu are in the middle, to allow for occasional lapses from Broome (former midfielder still relatively new to defending) and Suarez (the least MLS experience of the starting back line).

Soooooooo, I do not think that most good young defenders are ready to step into an MLS starting 11. On the US Youth level, our defenders are our weak spot. For example, a guy like Nelson Akwari is a borderline starter for his age group and has been a leader at the lower age groups, but he gets spun around like a top by MLS competition. He's a central defender, always has been, but until he refines his tactical game to near flawless level he'll be playing wingback or in the midfield. There are no 17 or 18 year olds that I'd start on an MLS back line, and certainly none under the age of 20 that I'd play in central defense. Guys like Bocanegra and Gray are extremely rare to have that kind of ability at their age.

But on offense, the chance of success and the expectancy of success is much lower, so you almost need to gamble on someone that can produce that magic once in a while rather than the always impressive but no-touch player.

A guy like Taylor Twellman is an MVP candidate but a guy like Chris Albright is a liability on the forward line. Johnson has the Albright athletic ability and the Twellman clinical finishing, but he is still learning the tactical side of it. Johnson makes a lot of mistakes, but he can give you that magic, and has proven it in the limited time he's seen. If he were allowed to learn as he goes and be paired with a quality forward next to him, I think you'd see the magic come more often and begin to snowball.

When young players--particularly "phenoms"--do not see playing time, they tend to react one of two ways, either by showing great determination to prove their worth (~20% of the time) or by getting extremely frustrated (~80% of the time). This is my opinion, but I don't think I'm out of line with these percentages. When they get frustrated they simply aren't as open to learning, don't try as hard, lose their confidence, and start to develop bad habits and/or attitudes.

Keeping them motivated and attentative is a very fine line. IMHO, one of the biggest reasons young players have developed so well in MLS is that they are virtually guaranteed of playing time at some point in the season because of MLS' small rosters. This keeps them motivated. I think that Johnson is frustrated and starting to lose his confidence. As a result, he appears more hesitant than he otherwise would be.

-Tron

 

This is where Pareja's absence really hurt the team.
EJ started the game full of confidence, and the Revs defense was scrambling to keep up with him. He got called offsides 4 times in the first 20-25 minutes, and he made several runs into the space that were not rewarded. This frustated him and his workrate began to suffer. Pareja would have encouraged him to keep doing what he was doing for the rest of the game, not let him get down himself. It is too bad that nobody else on the team assumed the on the field leadership role. EJ could have used a some guidance. EJ needed someone to tell him that 4 offside calls is no big deal. Someone to encourage him to keep stretching the defense, not too worry if he gets 10 or 12 offside calls because he will get one or two breakaways for his efforts.

La locura rojinegra

 

Yes, EJ is young. It looks like he has a ton of potential. He scores goals by the sackfull when he plays against other 18 year olds.

But he is as dangerous as a kitten in MLS. He has scored one goal in limited minutes (297) this year but I haven't seen him do anything interesting in months.

He may deserve a roster spot, he may be great 2 or 3 years down the line, but he should not be starting or playing 60 minutes. Not now - not when an entire season's work is going down the drain.

Ronnie O is dangerous and can be dangerous for 60 - 90 minutes. You want to rest Kreis? Fine. Put Ronnie O up top and let him go. Ronnie can dribble at players and maintain the ball. When was the last time EJ dribbled at someone and didn't lose possesion? He's a tall kid who doesn't yet have quick enough reflexes.

Now is not the time for him to get some experience. Now is the time to win a game and get back home field advantage.

I can't believe we went from a possible #1 seed to needing help to get the 4th seed.

 

Amen to that

 

. Dangerous as a kitten is better than Rhine. Excluding ROB (who may be a viable alternative, although we don't really know since we haven't seen him in the forward position), who else is there. You can't honestly tell me that you think bobby rhine has been dangerous. He dwells on the ball and loses it often. When he does look to pass, he rarely delivers it successfully in a dangerous postion. If rhine had been a better passer, he would have been able to put johnson in alone on goal atleast twice last game. If he did not muff every single legit chance he has had in the last couple of games, Dallas is still contending for the #1 spot. If Jeffries wants to play a forward at the forward position, I think Johnson is the best alternative. Rhine maxed out his limited ablilities early in the season, and doesn't look like recovering tthem.

 

People need to be realistic about how young players develop.

1. Most young stars don't turn into decent players. Look at the guys who were names in the U18 WC with Donovan and Beasley (and I don't just mean the US side--but other countries). A lot of names and most of them are not regarded as prospects now. So you have you assume that for every 5-6 really good youth players you get, maybe one ends up being a keeper. That said...

2. It takes time and PT for a youngster to blossom. EJ has had very little time (he's 18 for crissake!) and few starts and PT. Let's put it another way: Kyle Beckerman and Bobby Convey. Convey impressed enough his first year in MLS for Bruce Arena to give him a start against Brazil in an international match. As for Beckerman, he was rated AHEAD of Convey on the junior national side by his coach and peers (like Donovan and Beasley). But Convey has gotten opportunities. Beckerman went to Miami, sat, than got injured, than got dispersed and has sat some more. You've got to figure that young players are going to require a couple of years of lumps while they play (which is why reserve sides are so important for MLS).

EJ is the real thing. He may prove to be better than quaranta (and when you figure that b/c of injuries, Quaranta has 10 goals in the equivalent of less than 1 MLS season while playing on a terrible team--that's not bad). To give up on EJ now (especially give his technical ability and physical skills) is to seek instant gratification.

 

I have to agree with Tron on this one. EJ is the real deal and to me it's frustrating not to see him getting the minutes. If you have seen Edson Buddle in Columbus at all lately you will have noticed that he is playing extremely well for them. I first saw Edson in his youth days and knew that he would be a solid player in MLS at the very least. All of the things that made Buddle good in the U-20s are the things that are allowing him to excel in MLS. By comparison, and racial background aside, EJ and Edson are pretty similar players style wise. Most of my background watching EJ is from his youth play, and I will not hesitate in stating that EJ is signifigantly more talented than Edson. In short, I don't think it's EJ the player that is causing him to fall short of expectations, but a variety of circumstances that sooner or later will change.

I would also have to agree with the person(s) who suggested that the Burn style of play was working against Johnson. He is pretty good at holding the ball with his back to goal, but he is much better when he is isolated receiving balls over the top. The problem seems to be that when he steps on the field there are no adjustments to the attacking style that Dallas uses. It's understandable that the he should be expected to adjust to the team, but at some point if he is ever to make his mark in Dallas the team is going to have to adjust to use him to his full potential on the field.

Sure, its understandable that you would be underwhelmed with EJ this season given all of the hype that has preceded him, but the hype on this kid is not misplaced. It would be better for MLS and the National Team if he was traded rather than not see minutes again next season, but if you do trade him, I think you ultimately regret it severly.

 

Tron and JoeW:

Would you trade EJ for Jaime Moreno?

Burn fans:

Would you give up EJ for Jaime?

I, being a DC fan, would gladly take EJ in exchange for Jaime.

 

No. Hell no.

 

Trade EJ for Moreno? Probably a bad example. I think most teams would do that trade. B/c Moreno is probably out of the league next year and has trouble staying healthy--while EJ is P-40 (don't know if he's got that status next year) and is American.

I think EJ showed some value last night. Nice control and finish and the game-winner.