(Editorial) – He was last seen in MLS with the 2013 Western Conference Champion Portland Timbers. He spent the most time professionally with the San Jose Earthquakes, amassing 17 goals in 99 appearances. At his peak, he was on the short list of strikers for the Jamaican national team, with eight goals in 36 matches.
His name is Ryan Johnson. What happened to Ryan Johnson, exactly? Most MLS fans will remember him finishing off service from Diego Valeri or Darlington Nagbe. But since then, he’s been on a journey half a world away.
With his contract up at the end of the 2013 MLS season, Johnson took until late February before announcing a shocking move to China to sign with newly promoted Henan Jianye FC. It could be that Johnson was holding out for a pay raise from the Timbers or possibly looking to move to Europe.
An ESPN FC interview with Johnson would suggest otherwise. “I’m someone who likes to take a risk and likes to see the world. I enjoyed Asia and I always wanted to go [there],” said Johnson. For what it is worth, Johnson did get a substantial pay raise in making the move. His contract with Henan Jianye was worth a reported $300,000 per year. His 2013 base salary in MLS was only $144,000.
Johnson helped Henan Jianye stave off relegation on the final day of the season. He finished the season with four goals in 28 matches. The club had a training stint in South Korea during the season, and Johnson decided in the off season to make another move, signing a two year contract with Seoul E-Land FC of the K League.
“I take things a year at a time, two years at a time and, before I know it, it might be time to retire in four or five years. I’m fortunate I haven’t had serious injuries, so I want to keep continuing my journey,” said Johnson. He is the first American and Jamaican soccer player to play professionally in the China Super League.
Johnson’s numbers may be down since going oversees, but his time in Portland proved when the team in front if him creates chances for him, he finishes them off. At 30-years-old, he still has gas in the tank. He’s a work horse who can run the channels. At 6′ 1”, he can be a prototypical #9 striker and is dangerous in the air. Then there’s the speed associated with a Jamaican pedigree.
While he sounds like he wants his world wind adventures to continue, if Johnson ever wants to return to MLS, there’s no doubt he’ll have a spot with a team or two. The Colorado Rapids have one of the best defenses in MLS but continue to have trouble finding the back of the net. The arrival of Kevin Doyle will help with that, but Johnson could compliment him well. Gabby Torres has yet to prove his worth as a Designated Player.
Cellar-dweller NYCFC have trouble creating offense or scoring goals. Johnson could be a good and inexpensive complementary piece to pair up top with David Villa. Kenny Cooper is out long term for the Montreal Impact. Johnson’s skill set is similar to that of Cooper and could be a nice fill in, especially with Montreal not looking so potent of late. He might provide the boost needed to help the Impact make the playoffs in 2014, especially if Ignacio Piatti and company can get him consistent service.
An argument can be made that Johnson would immediately improve the striker position for at least half the MLS teams outside the playoffs. It might not be an easy sell considering how happy Johnson seems to go from place to place abroad: “I don’t really follow what other people do, I like experiencing new things. I pursued this opportunity and I’m happy with that experience.”
It might take a bit of convincing and some capital, but it’s possible. A club just needs to show him that a run at the MLS playoffs can be as soul-fulfilling as playing in Seoul, China, or whichever country he decides to go run off and play soccer in next.
Photo courtesy of MLSsoccer.com
