VMP 2016 Final Countdown #10: Will Johnson
Duncan: 11 – A shame about the injury as he’d had a decent first half of the season. By the time he was fit again, lost out in a numbers game as we just have too many similar midfielders, so letting him walk as a free agent kind of makes sense really. Forever a part of club folklore for breaking his leg while scoring the cup winning goal.
After the 2015 season, it was obvious that Will Johnson was going to leave Portland and the ‘where will he end up suspense was definitely teased out for a while before it emerged that it was Toronto who’d won, via a conditional 2nd round pick and an unspecified amount of TAM. Another impressive experienced MLS player brought in, and a Canadian international on top of that. Excellent. Sadly it didn’t quite work out.
When he was actually playing it generally went well, and he was a big part of the decent showing on the 8 game road trip and the decent opening to the season. He had a goal and 3 assists by the end of that 8 game stretch, the goal coming narrativetastically in Portland, with a comical celebration of at first raising his arms and going for a run then after about a second he seemed to realise where he was and instead did the not celebrating thing. His other league goal came against New York City, a tap in after good work from Mo Babouli and Josh Williams, and he ended up with 5 assists in league play as well.
Highest: 7
Lowest: 14
Kristin: 9 – I was so excited when Will joined the team and I’m sad to see him leave. Will miss his tenacity on the pitch, his Jedi mind control over the refs and it’s sucks to lose a solid MLS vet. But that goal – thanks for the sacrifice Will! Break a leg in Orlando.
Tony: 9 – Mr.Glass may be gone soon but will always have that goal
Mark: 10 – “Petulant angry kindergartener’s face” and “destroying himself to win V-Cup” will be his legacy.
Mark HSV: 9 – Poor Will, who lost his starting spot to Cooper. I think he is the better all around player and it’s sad to see him go. His leg-breaking Voyageurs Cup winning goal was epic.
Duane: 14 – Distractions behind the scene and injury make lower ranking.
Richard: 8 – Love this guy- busted his leg to win the cup. Shame he’s gone
Mel: 7 – He broke his leg, we won the cup. So sad to see him go.
David: 9 – Will was the odd man out. Up to his injury he was so strong, but lost out to summer pick-up Cooper. I hope he can be picked up for 2017 to give us what veteran presence in the mid when called upon.
Jen: 8 – He broke his goddamn leg for the V Cup, need I say more?