U.S. TEAM WAITING ON JOHNSON STRIKER'S RETURN BEEFS UP NATIONAL TEAM'S LINEUP.

Byline: Scott French Staff Writer

CARSON - The world is awaiting Freddy Adu's full international debut, and it could occur today, when the U.S. national soccer team takes on Canada in a World Cup warmup at Torero Stadium in San Diego.

The 16-year old phenom is an international celebrity of sorts, his every move analyzed everywhere soccer is king. Whether he sees action in the Americans' first match of 2006 ultimately is mere sideshow.

The real story is the return of Eddie Johnson from a foot injury that sidelined him most of last year. The 21-year old striker, who has scored eight goals in nine international matches, possesses a combination of size, speed, athleticism and finishing prowess that frightens opposing defenders. If healthy and in form, he could be the pivotal figure if the U.S. emerges from a difficult first-stage group in Germany come June.

Johnson hasn't played a game since September, hasn't been healthy since May, but he says he's feeling no pain and is itching to get back onto the field.

``(I just want) to get out there, get out in that environment, feel that pressure, that atmosphere at a high level like this,'' Johnson said after nearly three weeks in the U.S. training camp at Home Depot Center. ``Just get my form back, and once I get my form back, it's just a matter of time before the goals start.''

That's encouraging talk for the U.S., which is best equipped on attack when Johnson teams with Brian McBride up top, with Galaxy forward Landon Donovan making runs underneath and DaMarcus Beasley attacking from the left flank.

``I think (Eddie's) done well,'' said U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who opened training camp at Home Depot Center on Jan. 4. "I had my concerns, and I think he's a little ahead of schedule. Obviously, this injury - the simplest way to describe it, they call it 'turf toe' - there's a psychological aspect of getting through (the soreness), but we can see his injury is behind him.?''

``It's going to take him a little time because, for the most part, he missed the entire year last year. We don't expect him to come in full speed, but he's doing well.''

Donovan, Beasley, midfielder Claudio Reyna and goalkeeper Kasey Keller are the established U.S. stars, but consensus is that Johnson could become America's first soccer superstar.

One of the first inner-city products to emerge in American soccer, he starred for the U.S. under-17 team in 2000 and 2001, scoring 23 goals in 25 games. After turning pro at 17, he was a role player in Dallas, more potential than anything else, his first three seasons in Major League Soccer.

After winning the Golden Shoe as top scorer at the 2003 FIFA World Youth (under-20) Championships, Johnson established himself among the deadliest strikers in MLS, netting 12 goals in 2004. That led to a call-up to the full national team, and he scored six goals in his first four games - all World Cup qualifiers - drawing interest from top European clubs and a $5 million bid from Portuguese power Benfica, the biggest sum ever offered (and declined) for a U.S. soccer player.

Johnson, who plays bigger than his 6-foot, 170-pound frame, scored five goals in his first nine matches last season with Dallas, then sustained the injury to his right big toe. After an ill-advised return in August, and a stint in the Americans' Sept. 7 World Cup qualifier in Guatemala, he shut down.

``I'm just trying to take it one game at a time,'' Johnson said last week. ``Right now I'm trying to concentrate on what's ahead of me, and that's Canada. And after Canada, it's Norway (next Sunday at HDC). Then if I do well in those games, my chances in Germany this year are greater.''

Arena, with a roster almost entirely of domestic players, has offered no hints on his lineup for Canada, and Johnson has no expectations.

``If it's five minutes, 10 minutes, I'm just happy to get out there on the field,'' he said. ``I hope the defenders are tired when I get in, and I get a goal, keep that streak going.

Scott French, [phone]

scott.french(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Eddie Johnson (center) has returned to the U.S. national soccer team after being sidelined with a foot injury for a year.

Larry W. Smith/Getty Images

Box:

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