Goalkeeper Sean Johnson Departs New York City Football Club
January 27, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - New York City FC News Release
New York City Football Club (NYCFC) today announced that Goalkeeper Sean Johnson has departed the Club to join MLS side Toronto FC.
NYCFC traded for Johnson in the 2016 offseason, and he quickly solidified himself as the Club's No. 1 keeper ahead of the 2017 season. Since then, the Georgia native has gone on and played 206 matches, tallying 18,660 minutes, while accumulating 60 clean sheets across all competitions for the 'Boys in Blue.' Johnson was appointed Captain entering the 2021 season, where he recorded 10 clean sheets in the regular season and playoffs combined and led the team to its first championship in the 2021 MLS Cup.
NYCFC Sporting Director David Lee said: "We would like to thank Sean for all the hard work and leadership he has given to this Club both on-and-off the field. Sean has been a leader and a fantastic professional since the day he arrived and ultimately played such an important part in winning the Club our first MLS Cup in 2021.
"Sean has also been a role model and we have been proud of the work he has done in the community and in his role on the Executive Board of Black Players for Change. Sean has given everything to this Club since he has arrived, but we understand his decision to take on a new challenge and to do what he feels is best for him and his family. We wish him nothing but the best in the next stage of his career."
Johnson was pivotal in helping New York add its first piece of silverware to the Club's trophy cabinet. In the 2021 playoffs, the American keeper kept a clean sheet at Yankee Stadium in the First Round against Atlanta United and saved a penalty in the shootout of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, helping the Club advance to its first-ever Conference Final. In Portland, Johnson made some keys saves to help NYCFC reach the penalty shootout where Johnson made his mark and saved two penalties to help win MLS Cup and earn himself Finals MVP accolades.
Johnson's performances in The Bronx saw him earn a nod in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game and a call up to the U.S. National Team winning two Gold Cups and an inclusion in the National Team roster at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Off the pitch, Johnson was very involved in the community with Black Players for Change helping provide children access to the 'Beautiful Game'.
Everyone at the Club would like to wish Sean all the best in Toronto.
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