Johnson Scores in Tune-up Win

On This Day in 2006, After Being Traded Away from Dallas a Few Days Earlier, the Striker Scores for the National Team on his Former Home Field

Eddie Johnson had already established himself as a prolific scorer for the U.S. Men's National Team. His goal-scoring prowess was particularly evident in World Cup qualifying, where he scored seven goals in six matches, putting him third all-time in team history at the time. After battling toe injuries that limited his 2005 season with FC Dallas, Johnson found himself on the move just days before a friendly against Guatemala when he was traded to the Kansas City Wizards on February 14.

The trade left Johnson feeling slighted, and he made his feelings known dramatically during the February 19 friendly at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. After entering as a halftime substitute, Johnson needed just 67 seconds to make his mark, splitting two defenders and finishing past Guatemalan goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez. His celebration spoke volumes as he turned his back to the crowd at his former home stadium and defiantly pulled at his U.S. jersey.

"I couldn't ask for anything else but to score a goal," Johnson said afterward. "It made me feel good about myself. It's kind of a slap back in their face, saying, 'Why are you trading me?'"

The goal, Johnson's ninth in just 12 international appearances, was part of a commanding 4-0 victory for the Americans. Chris Klein starred with a goal and two assists, setting up Ben Olsen and Brian Ching, as the U.S. continued their strong World Cup preparation form despite missing several key players. The European-based contingent was absent, while players from the Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution were released to prepare for CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.

The central defensive pairing of Eddie Pope and Jimmy Conrad impressed, with U.S. coach Bruce Arena noting it as "one of the strengths of our team." The duo were the only players to start all four friendlies during the domestic camp, with Conrad making a strong push for World Cup roster consideration alongside the veteran Pope, a two-time World Cup veteran.

Despite the chilly conditions at Pizza Hut Park, with a 24-degree wind chill at kickoff, 14,453 fans turned out to watch the Americans' final domestic tune-up before the World Cup. While impressive on scoreline, the result came against a Guatemala side that showed the effects of having gathered less than a week before the match, in contrast to the U.S. team's seven weeks of daily training.

The win improved the U.S. to 3-0-1 in their 2006 schedule, with European-based friendlies against Poland and Germany on the horizon as Bruce Arena's squad continued their preparation for that summer's World Cup in Germany. The match also marked the debut of Nike's new U.S. World Cup jerseys, inspired by the 1950 team that famously defeated England.