Report: United’s Eddie Johnson has heart issue, season likely over

As a forward, D.C. United forward Eddie Johnson is used to taking on insurmountable odds. He will need that same mentality off of the pitch as it was revealed in a report by the Washington Post’s Steve Goff that he is suffering from a heart ailment.

In his report, Goff quotes an unnamed source who says, “Maybe he comes back, but it’s a long shot.” Within the same report it is implied that the issue with his heart might be career-ending.

Johnson came to D.C. United last season on a Designated Player deal after having turned his career around with the Seattle Sounders. Although he struggled to live up to the expectations of being a Designated Player with D.C., he still produced a solid 7 goals in 26 appearances with the club.

This is not the first time that Johnson has had a health scare with D.C. On the eve of United’s second playoff match against the New York Red Bulls, he was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of dehydration and high blood pressure.

Although he would go on to play the next day (only after being OK’ed by doctors) Johnson would revealed later that he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. He did report to January camp, but did not train with the team nor has he participated in any practices or matches.

An enlarged heart, according to the American Heart Association, can be caused by exorbitant amount of physical stress. An enlarged heart can cause an irregular heart beat and congestion in the lungs.

So far both D.C. United management and Johnson’s representatives have been rather quiet. Johnson himself has not weighed in on any of this via social media.

A 15 year veteran of both MLS (DC, Seattle, Kansas City Wizards, and FC Dallas) and European soccer (Fulham, Cardiff, Aris, and Preston North End,) he has plied his trade with over eight clubs in his fifteen year career. He has played in over 281 matches in his club career and scored 78 goals.

But he is perhaps best known for his work with the U.S. Men’s National Team, where he featured for the team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was a member of the USMNT’s victories at the 2007 and 2013 Gold Cup and was their second-leading scorer during 2014 World Cup Qualification. With the senior national team he made over 63 appearances and scored 19 goals.

While it seems that United have been prepared for this news, it is a further reminder of how little depth they currently have at the forward position. With 2014 leading scorer Fabian Espindola still suspended for five more matches and midfielder-forward Luis Silva out due to a hamstring problem the club is currently without two of their top strikers.

For the New York Red Bulls match on Sunday (5pm ESPN2) expect the club to go with Chris Rolfe and Jairo Arrieta up front, with Miguel Aguilar being the first option off of the bench.