Seattle Sounders Trade Mike Fucito, Lamar Neagle To Montreal Impact For Eddie Johnson

The Seattle Sounders have traded striker Mike Fucito and winger Lamar Neagle to the Montreal Impact for former US national team striker Eddie Johnson. Johnson most recently played for English League Championship club Preston North End, on loan from Premier League side Fulham. He was signed on a free transfer by Mexican Primera club Puebla, but released after a few days. Johnson's last appearance with the national team came in 2008.

Johnson played in MLS from 2001-2008, scoring 41 goals in 127 appearances for FC Dallas and the Kansas City Wizards. His time abroad was not so successful; in three-plus seasons with Fulham, Johnson went on loan to three different clubs (Cardiff City, Aris and Preston North End) scoring just 7 goals in 80 appearances. In order to secure Johnson's rights (and presumably not-insignificant salary) the Sounders have given up fan-favorite and presumed Fredy Montero partner Fucito and Neagle, who had a tremendous breakout season in 2011.

It would appear that the Sounders have placed a huge premium in adding a striker with proven finishing ability at the MLS level, as the loss of two early-peak, low-salary attacking players seems a huge price tag for a player that has not been anywhere close to effective at any level for over three years. Perhaps time will give some vindication to the team's decision, but the initial reaction seems to be that the Sounders have just been taken to the cleaners.