Timbers Will Johnson named MLS Player of the Week

PORTLAND, Ore.  –Portland Timbers midfielder and team captain Will Johnson was named Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 5 of the 2013 MLS season, it was announced today.

Johnson, who was acquired on Dec. 3, 2012, in a trade with Real Salt Lake, scored a brace to help the Timbers overcome a two-goal deficit on Saturday in a 2-2 draw against Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. He becomes the second MLS Timbers player to win NASR’s player of the week honor.

WATCH:Johnson talks after training about the honor of winning the award

Trailing 2-0 in the 55^th minute, Johnson made a well-timed run into the middle of the area and connected on a cross from forward Ryan Johnson. The midfielder directed a header inside the left post to trim Colorado’s lead to a goal. Will Johnson helped the Timbers complete the comeback when defender David Horst earned a penalty kick after suffering a foul in the box. The Canadian international successfully placed the penalty kick into the top left corner, tying the match and becoming the fifth Timbers player since 2011 to record two goals in a game.

READ:Johnson: We know that we can dig deep and get the result

Since joining the Timbers for the 2013 season, Johnson has started and played 90 minutes in each of Portland’s first four games and leads the club in goals (2) and points (5).  

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found atwww.soccerreporters.com.

The Timbers return home to take on Houston on Saturday, April 6, in the first of back-to-back home games at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) and the game will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS.