If there was ever any doubt this year, it should be erased now. Recently labeled "unreliable," Eddie Johnson proved again Saturday night that he is a difference maker.
After a six-game absence in which his Kansas City Wizards failed to win, Johnson scored his sixth game-winning goal to give his team a 1-0 victory against visiting Real Salt Lake. The only match in which Johnson hasn't scored the game-winner was a May 5 victory against the Columbus Crew.
"It's great to have Eddie in our team," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo. "It changes the dynamic in our team because you have to respect his speed and that ability to get behind players and beat people on the break."
Johnson's 19th-minute goal began when left back Jose Burciaga, Jr., eyed Johnson isolated with a defender on the right side. Burciaga hit a precise cross-field pass and Johnson did the rest, beating RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando with his initial shot that banged off the right post and then following with a finish of the rebound.
"When things are going your way, things are going your way," said the Florida native. "I second-guessed myself. I wanted to dribble [Rimando], but he stayed up. So I tried to go near post at the last minute."
The goal was Johnson's 10th of the season and puts him atop the Budweiser Golden Boot chart with D.C. United's Luciano Emilio, who scored twice Saturday in United's 3-3 draw with FC Dallas.
Now whole as a team with Johnson and fellow U.S. national teamer Jimmy Conrad's return, the Wizards are ready to prove they will be a difference maker in the race for the top of the Eastern Conference.
But Onalfo knows it is going to take time before his team will fire on all cylinders.
"It was the first time we played what is our starting group. We need to get a little more in synch," Onalfo said. "I'm not thrilled with the performance. But I'll take the three points and know that it's great to be able to work on things when you've just gotten three points."
Offensively Kansas City will need time to coordinate the attack with playmaker Carlos Marinelli at the controls with a full complement of forwards, and defensively Onalfo feels his team needs to work on their midfield shape.
Burciaga, who kidded that Johnson didn't want to give him an assist on his goal and so played a one-two with the post, feels the fully-armed Wizards are headed for something big.
"It's going to take us a while, but if we stay positive and work for each other, I think we're going to get results no matter what," he said. "You're going to see us go on a long run, one where teams are scared to play us."
And one can bet that Eddie Johnson will be at the heart of the Wizards' rise.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
