TORONTO — The champagne flowed and hugs were in abundance at the Portland Timbers' MLS Cup victory party a year ago in Columbus, but even as his teammates took to the stage with their shiny trophy to sing and dance the night away, one player who chose not to take part in the show was Will Johnson. Even though he celebrated wholeheartedly in the locker room after Portland's win against the Columbus Crew, he spent the victory party just watching and staring at a trophy he had lifted twice before but yearned to win again under different circumstances.
On that night, Johnson already knew he would be leaving Portland, and with the Timbers willing to let him choose his next destination, the Canadian national team midfielder didn't have too tough a time deciding where best to take his chase for a third MLS Cup.