In his second cap for the United States, Eddie Johnson set a mark that has yet to be equaled
Most strikers go an entire career without scoring a hat trick. Eddie Johnson did it in the second game of his tenure with the National Team.
And did we mention it was coming off the bench?
Travel back to Oct. 13, 2004, and the USA’s campaign to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Coming off a 2-0 win in El Salvador – in which a young Eddie Johnson scored a goal in his first appearance for the National Team – the U.S. hosted Panama in Washington, D.C. Entering in the 65th minute with the team up 2-0, Johnson (then referred to as ‘Ed’) ripped off three straight goals, becoming the first player in MNT history to record a hat trick as a substitute. The U.S. ended with a 6-0 win and a first-place finish in the semifinal round, as well as the start of a prolific career for the young striker from Palm Coast, Fla.
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Most strikers go an entire career without scoring a hat trick. Eddie Johnson did it in the second game of his tenure with the National Team.
And did we mention it was coming off the bench?
Travel back to Oct. 13, 2004, and the USA’s campaign to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Coming off a 2-0 win in El Salvador – in which a young Eddie Johnson scored a goal in his first appearance for the National Team – the U.S. hosted Panama in Washington, D.C. Entering in the 65th minute with the team up 2-0, Johnson (then referred to as ‘Ed’) ripped off three straight goals, becoming the first player in MNT history to record a hat trick as a substitute. The U.S. ended with a 6-0 win and a first-place finish in the semifinal round, as well as the start of a prolific career for the young striker from Palm Coast, Fla.
Continue reading...