Will Johnson
Canadian midfielder who captained the Timbers and won the 2015 MLS Cup with Portland.
Lord Bob · via Wikipedia: Will Johnson (soccer) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Will Johnson is a Canadian midfielder who captained the Portland Timbers after joining them from Real Salt Lake in a trade on December 3, 2012. Born on January 21, 1987, he grew up partly in England and Illinois and built a reputation as a versatile player who could fill several roles in midfield. In his first Portland season he was named to the MLS Best XI and voted Timbers Supporters Player of the Year, and he was a member of the squad that won the MLS Cup in 2015.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- William David Johnson
- Born
- 21 January 1987
- Birthplace
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Height
- 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in
- Position
- Midfielder
- Current club
- Central Florida Crusaders
Facts from the source article.
Background
Johnson came up through the youth ranks of Blackburn Rovers and the Chicago Fire before a spell in the Netherlands with Heerenveen. Back in MLS with Real Salt Lake, he scored the league's Goal of the Year in 2008 and started the 2009 MLS Cup final that his side won on penalties. Coach Caleb Porter made him Portland captain on February 26, 2013. On March 30, 2013, he scored both goals in a 2–2 draw with the Colorado Rapids, his first for the club, and was named MLS player of the week. He went to the 2014 MLS All-Star game, but that season ended early when a collision with Toronto FC defender Mark Bloom on September 27, 2014 broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg. In December 2015 he was traded to Toronto FC, and on May 1, 2016 he scored his first goal for them against his former club.
Did You Know?
- Johnson's grandfather, Brian Birch, won the FA Cup with Bolton Wanderers in 1958.
- He won the MLS Goal of the Year Award in 2008 while playing for Real Salt Lake.
- He was an MLS All-Star three times: 2009, 2013 and 2014.
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