Reds land new No. 1 goalkeeper

Signing of U.S. international Johnson an attempt to upgrade situation in net after shaky season

Toronto FC filled a gaping hole in goal by signing U.S. international Sean Johnson through 2024.

The 33-year-old free agent, who spent the last six years with New York City FC, is entering his 14th season in Major League Soccer. He arrives at the top of his game, having played all 34 matches for NYCFC last year with a career-high 14 clean sheets, while earning his first MLS all-star selection.

The six-foot-three 216-pounder has made 400 appearances for New York and the Chicago Fire in all competitions since 2010.

“Sean is among the top goalkeepers in MLS and we are thrilled he has chosen Toronto FC as his new club,” Toronto president Bill Manning said in a statement.

Johnson has won 10 caps for the U.S. and was part of the American squad at the recent World Cup in Qatar. He was on the bench for the

Americans’ 2-1 loss to Serbia on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The U.S. hosts Colombia on Saturday in Carson, Calif.

Upgrading at goalkeeper became a priority after Toronto conceded 66 goals last season, tying a franchise worst. Alex Bono and Quentin Westberg, who split the starting duties the last four years, have moved on: Bono to D.C. United and Westberg to Atlanta United.

“Sean has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, given his club and international career,” said Bob Bradley, Toronto’s head coach and sporting director.

TFC has 29-year-old Greg Ranjitsingh, last year’s third-stringer, and 22-year-old Tomas Romero as backups.

Johnson was acquired using targeted allocation money, which can be used to sign a player provided his salary and acquisition costs are more than the maximum salary budget charge which was $612,500 (U.S.) last season. Since Johnson was a free agent, there was no acquisition cost this time.

Johnson made $550,000 in 2022, compared to $557,000 for Bono and $313,585 for Westberg.

Also Friday, NYCFC acquired goalkeeper Matt Freese from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for general allocation money. Freese was backup to Andre Blake, the reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year, in Philadelphia.

Johnson is the second former MLS captain to join TFC in the off-season. Veteran centre back Matt Hedges, who signed as a free agent in December, served as FC Dallas skipper for eight seasons.

Italian star Lorenzo Insigne captained Napoli before joining Toronto last July. Midfielder Michael Bradley, son of Bob Bradley, is TFC’s longtime skipper.

Johnson has history with Toronto. Alejandro Pozuelo beat him with a 90th-minute penalty to give Toronto a 2-1 victory over New York City FC in the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinal. Pozuelo beat Johnson four of five times from the penalty spot while with Toronto.

Johnson has made 370 regularseason and playoff appearances in MLS since being drafted 51st overall in 2010 by the Chicago Fire as a Generation Adidas player. It was a savvy pick. Johnson made 176 regular-season starts over his seven years in Chicago, making 548 saves and logging 36 shutouts with a 1.42 goals against average.

He was traded in December 2016 and had been the NYCFC No. 1 ever since, captaining the team to the MLS Cup title in 2021. He was named MLS Cup MVP after stopping Felipe Mora and Diego Valeri in a 4-2 penalty shootout win over the hometown Portland Timbers.

Johnson took a 767-minute shutout streak for the U.S. into the World Cup in Qatar.