WASHINGTON (November 1, 2015) – D.C. United has announced that forward Eddie Johnson is retiring from soccer, ending an electrifying career in Major League Soccer, with the U.S. Men’s National Team and overseas. Johnson, 31, has not played since the end of the 2014 season.
“Eddie had many outstanding accomplishments during his career and was a valuable member of the team during his time with D.C. United,” said D.C. United General Manager and Vice President of Soccer Operations Dave Kasper. “He will be missed but always remembered as he moves on beyond the playing field.”
Johnson leaves the game with 71 goals and 21 assists in 202 appearances (162 starts) over 10 years in Major League Soccer. He had seven goals and three assists in 26 regular season appearances (22 starts) for D.C. United in 2014. A three-time MLS All-Star, Johnson was acquired by the Black-and-Red from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for general allocation money in December 2013 following two seasons in Seattle where he recorded 23 goals and five assists. After scoring 14 goals in 2012 in his first season in MLS since 2007, Johnson was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
Johnson was 16 years old, and one of the youngest players in Major League Soccer, when he was selected by the Dallas Burn in the second round (19th overall) of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft. The Bunnell, Fla., native spent five seasons in North Texas before he was traded to the Kansas City Wizards in 2006. In 2007, Johnson had a banner season, scoring a career-high 15 goals. At the end of the season, he transferred to Fulham FC in the English Premier League. Over the next four years, he made more than a dozen appearances for the Cottagers and had loan stints with Cardiff City, Aris and Preston North End.
On the international stage, Johnson earned 63 caps and is eighth all-time with 19 goals for the U.S. Men’s National Team, including 12 in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches. He made two appearances at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was part of CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning sides in 2007 and 2013. He scored the game-winner against Mexico on September 10, 2013, to help the USMNT advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Johnson made his senior team debut in 2004 and had a breakout appearance in October of that year at RFK Stadium, where he had a hat trick off the bench in a World Cup qualifying match against Panama.
