Portland Timbers acquire Ryan Johnson
US Major League Soccer (MLS) club Portland Timbers have announced the acquisition of 28-year-old Jamaican international Ryan Johnson.
A veteran of six MLS seasons, Johnson was Toronto FC’s second-leading scorer in 2012 with seven goals and five assists from 31 matches.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Originally selected by Real Salt Lake in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft after an outstanding collegiate career at Oregon State University, Johnson has played 162 regular-season matches during his MLS career with Real Salt Lake (2006), Chicago (2006), San Jose (2008-11) and Toronto FC (2011-12).
In all, he has scored 27 goals and 20 assists and made three MLS Cup play-off appearances with San Jose Earthquakes in 2010.
Timbers general manager said it was in the club’s best interest “to secure a talented goalscorer and an experienced player like Ryan. He adds another weapon to our attacking group and can create goals in a number of ways.
“He also offers versatility in a number of positions in either a three- or two-front system,” Wilkinson pointed out.
In two seasons with Toronto FC, Johnson compiled 18 goals in 63 matches across all competitions.
Johnson joins goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts as two Jamaicans on the Timbers squad, and will partner with Kris Boyd and Dike Bright to bolster the attack.
Portland finished in 17th place of the 19-team competition last year.
