When Eddie Johnson came to the Seattle Sounders it was with a simple goal in mind - prove the naysayers wrong. He did that and more. His 2012 season was not just decent, but special. Today, his return to his previous highs in Major League Soccer were recognized by his winning of his second Comeback Player of the Year award.

In 2007 Johnson won the award as most do. He came back from an injury and performed quite well. In 2012 he took a different path to the award. He reinvented himself. His heading ability is as good as any player in the history of MLS. Now he works in the box better than most and his runs are timed well and can start deep and end with a goal.

Johnson may be tempted to quote LL Cool J. For him 2012 was not about winning the Comeback award. He wanted a Cup. He is the prodigal son of the league. He went There and Back Again.

His 14 goals in MLS play lead the Seattle Sounders providing a new offensive punch from the "other" forward. He added three assists as well. For 2013 he needs to avoid what happened after he last won this award - he has to continue to play well.

Steve Zakuani was fifth overall. Though coming back from something much more significant, his return was not to nearly as high a level.

Top Five

Wanna thank the people who made this award a reality for me...To the entire Sounders organization thank you for a great season.

— Eddie Johnson (@eddie_johnson7) November 27, 2012

There is national outrage about EJ winning, but two of three voting blocks had him with the Award.

Note: Frank Yallop won the Coach of the Year. Sigi Schmid finished fifth.