Orlando City SC bolstered its midfield with its first free-agent signing of the offseason. On Wednesday, the club announced it signed Major League Soccer All-Star Will Johnson to a two-year contract.
In 10 MLS seasons, Johnson has won two MLS Cups. Last season, he played with Toronto FC. At 29 years old, he started 20 of 29 matches, recording two goals and five assists. Johnson also has history with City head coach Jason Kreis, as he played under Kreis at Real Salt Lake from 2008 to 2012. In RSL’s 2009 MLS Cup-winning season, Johnson made 30 starts. He played in 13 matches for the Portland Timbers’ MLS Cup-winning team in 2015.
“We are thrilled to add Will to the team,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said, per the press release. “He is a proven and accomplished MLS player that knows the league and [Kreis’] system very well from their teim at Real Salt Lake. We are confident he will help the club achieve its goals moving forward.”
Johnson has started 193 of his 212 MLS regular-season games. For his career, he’s recorded 29 goals and 22 assists. The Canadian and American dual citizen has also made 41 appearances for the Canadian men’s national team, scoring four goals.
City will open the 2017 campaign in its new soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando against New York City FC on Sunday, March 5.
[…] Like Larin, new teammate Johnson is a member of the Canadian men’s national team. The 30-year-old joined the team this offseason. […]
[…] Apart from the new stadium, the club has also added new players; one, in fact, is Larin’s teammate on the Canadian men’s national team. In late December, the Lions signed All-Star Will Johnson to a two-year contract. […]