Every game Toronto FC plays for whatever remains of the post-season is new territory in the club’s history but one player has seen it all before.
Will Johnson, who joined TFC in advance of the 2016 season, has twice had his hands on the MLS Cup and would become the first player in the MLS 2.0 era to win with three different clubs if Toronto goes all the way this year.
In nine seasons in MLS, the 29-year-old has made 208 appearances, including the 2009 Championship game with Real Salt Lake. He was also a member of the Portland Timbers side that lifted the Cup last season.
“I see characteristics with this group with the teams I’ve won championships with,” Johnson said at the KIA Training Ground on Thursday. “This is a very good group of guys, very motivated.”
The combative midfielder has seen his fair share of big games, playing 41 times for Canada and the 2011 CONCACAF Champions League Final, where RSL lost out to Mexican side Monterrey. Ahead of Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal’s second leg against NYCFC, Johnson believes this cohort of TFC players has what it takes to win.
“We have a lot of guys with a lot of experience from all over the world,” said the Toronto native. “I think that’s one of the strengths of our group.”
“It helps keep guys grounded after good results and pick guys up after tougher ones,” he said of his championship-winning experience.
“At some point, there’ll be some adversity and you have to able to manage the ups and downs.”
Johnson, who describes himself as a high-strung individual, took it all in his stride when he scored his first goal in Toronto red away to Portland back in May and come to the end of June, he was in the right place at the right time to help his teammates get used to the feeling of winning. In the 95th minute of the Canadian Championship final in Vancouver, he scored to give TFC their first Cup since 2012. Johnson sustained a leg fracture in the act of scoring and only returned to the line-up for the final regular season game against Chicago Fire.
“We have a good chance to win a trophy here and we’ll stay the course,” said Johnson. “Things change very quickly in the playoffs, with the do or die scenarios. Even if you play to the best of your abilities with a special group, it doesn’t guarantee a trophy.”
Johnson highlights summer additions Tosaint Ricketts and Armando Cooper as key elements to facing the challenges that just get bigger every week.
“They’ve been to some tough places to play and things don’t phase them,” he said. “They’re older, experienced players that help you win big games.”
Jozy Altidore echoed his teammate’s sentiments and with coach Greg Vanney expected to start with the same starting 11 for the fourth game running, he’s glad to have someone like Johnson to call on.
“You need guys who’ve played in big moments, who know what it takes,” said the American striker. “You need guys who are able to step off the bench, onto the field and know how to put a shift in. Each one of the guys on our roster can be counted on to do a job at any given time.”
