Dallas - FC Dallas President and General Manager Greg Elliott announced today that the club has signed forward Eddie Johnson to a new multi-year contract. Johnson's original contract was set to expire in December of 2006. Per club policy, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"This is another step taken by our soccer club to produce a winning team and help solidify a core group of players that fans can get excited about and rally around," said Elliott. "Signing Ronnie O'Brien in November, Greg Vanney in March and Eddie Johnson today are efforts our organization will continue to make to bring continuity and excitement to our fans year in and year out."
This season with FC Dallas, Johnson has appeared in nine games and tallied five goals with one assist. Over the past two seasons, Johnson has recorded 17 goals in 35 matches with Dallas.
Last season, at 20 years of age, Johnson became the youngest player in MLS history to either have or share the league lead in goals (12). Among the league leaders in 2004, he finished first in game-winning goals (7), tied for first in goals, tied for first in multi-goal matches (3), tied for second in shots (75) and tied for sixth in shots on goals (32).
Johnson, 21, has scored eight goals in eight international matches (including both World Cup Qualifiers and Exhibitions) with the U.S. National Team. On October 13, 2004 against Panama, Johnson became the first substitute in U.S. Men's soccer history to record a hat trick and the eighth player to accomplish the feat. Despite playing in only six World Cup qualifiers, he is currently tied for second on the U.S. all-time World Cup qualifying scoring list.
Johnson stated, "This announcement is proof that Major League Soccer can compete for top players with any league in the world. I want to play in Major League Soccer and specifically with FC Dallas. I have said all along that it is my desire to win a championship here in Dallas this season and that is the most important thing on my mind right now. With MLS Cup in Frisco and the team we have put together, I like our chances and I am looking forward to continuing my MLS career in Dallas."
