Toronto FC: Why Fabian Johnson would be perfect

Fabian Johnson hasn’t been getting the most minutes with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Is an MLS move imminent? Here’s why Johnson would be perfect for Toronto FC.

Editorial — Toronto FC did not meet expectations this past MLS season.

After hoisting the MLS Cup trophy, Toronto FC faltered, finishing in ninth place. Toronto FC has a boatload of talent on their roster, including the likes of Michael Bradley, Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, who was injured and only played 13 matches in 2018.

After a massive year of success in 2017, Toronto FC couldn’t get it clicking in 2018.

The defense was rough, with the reigning MLS champions giving up 64 goals. The goals allowed were the second-most in the Eastern Conference, behind Orlando City SC. Throughout the entire league, Toronto was tied at fifth, with the LA Galaxy, for giving up the most goals.

Because of this, only four defenders that had options were picked up for next season, including Ashtone Morgan, Drew Moor, Nick Hagglund and Julian Dunn.

Toronto FC already has Justin Morrow, Chris Mavinga, Gregory van der Wiel and Eriq Zavaleta already under contract.

Even in the midfield, some players will not return.

To bolster their team, Toronto FC made the decision to jump up in the Allocation Ranking. The Reds completed a trade with San Jose to take the No. 2 spot. Toronto paid San Jose with $75,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and $75,000 in General Allocation Money.

What does this mean?

Well, Toronto FC now sits right behind FC Cincinnati — the newest MLS club and a new Eastern Conference opponent — to pick up a player not in the league.

To be classified as an allocated player, you have to follow this criteria: be a select U.S. Men’s National Team player, elite U.S. Youth National Team player or player transferred outside of MLS, garnering a transfer fee of at least $500,000.

Speculation, but eye-turning for Toronto FC

So, who will Toronto FC take?

There have been speculations around defenders Geoff Cameron and Omar Gonzalez, but another name has been thrown into the ringer. Fabian Johnson, a former nominee for U.S. Men’s National Team player of the year, has his name in the hat.

Johnson has featured in the Bundesliga his entire career.

The 31-year-old — he just turned 31 on Dec. 11 — began his career with 1860 Munich, playing for the first and second teams. He then joined the top tier of the Bundesliga when he signed with VFL Wolfsburg in 2009. However, after two seasons, and only 16 appearances, Johnson moved to another German city. He signed with TSG Hoffenheim in 2011, spending three seasons with the club.

Hoffenheim is where Johnson was put on the map. Former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann caught eye of Johnson, bringing him into the USMNT in November 2011. He was one of the first German-Americans to be included on Klinsmann’s rosters.

After a strong showing at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 — where he played right back — Johnson signed with Borussia Mönchengladbach. He has been with the club ever since, making Champion’s League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal appearances.

This season, Johnson hasn’t been used a whole lot.

Under head coach Dieter Hecking, Johnson has featured in seven games, only starting four. During his first appearance of the season, Johnson chipped in a goal. When he has entered matches, Johnson normally appears as a winger, in the midfield or even up front at forward.

Johnson has bitten the injury bug, too.

Last season, Johnson spent a majority of the year out with a back injury. However, the problem has been taken care of, and Johnson is healthy for the first time in a while.

https://twitter.com/ussoccer_mnt/status/872150598694588417

Why is Johnson a good fit?

Despite being 31, Johnson isn’t slowing down.

He’s still an incredibly fast attacker and still has a knack for goal. Maybe his prime is up, but he’s not done. He’s at an age where footballers are discovering a second prime. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who are all in their early 30s.

Even on home soil, Chad Marshall of the Seattle Sounders had one of his best seasons in MLS, and he’s 34-years-old.

Johnson is a great fit for Toronto FC because not only is he fast, but he’s versatile. No matter what position he’s asked to play, Johnson can do it — and do it well. Johnson has played right back, left back, left winger, right winger, central midfielder and even attacker.

He has familiarity with Toronto FC players, too.

Johnson spent a majority of his 57 appearances for the USMNT with Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. He has a good working relationship with both. On Johnson’s first-ever USMNT goal, it was Bradley who provided the assist.

Johnson has also assisted a handful of Altidore’s goals.

Back in 2016, Johnson told ESPN that if he would ever leave the “Fohlenelf” of Borussia Mönchengladbach, an exit to another German rival would be “unlikely.”

He’s still under contract at Mönchengladbach until 2020, but with the lack of playing time, and other’s ahead of him on the depth chart, it wouldn’t be surprising to see ‘Gladbach sell him. Born in Germany to an American serviceman and German mother, Johnson’s move to Toronto FC could benefit him and the club.

Not only would he be an undisputed starter, but put him with Giovinco, Bradley and a healthy Altidore, and Toronto could be on the fiercest-attacking teams.

Final Thoughts

However, there’s one thing standing in the way: FC Cincinnati.

This past October, a report from Doug McIntyre of Yahoo! Sports detailed FC Cincinnati’s pursuit of Johnson. In McIntyre’s report, it explains that the MLS essentially prevented the deal. The new expansion club featured in the USL last season and thought they could get around the MLS Allocation Order.

However, the allocation process “would apply to Cincinnati only after the summer transfer window closed on Aug. 8,” according to the report.

According to McIntyre, Johnson wanted to join the club. The interest could still be there, so if Toronto FC want any chance on Johnson, they’re going to have to be smart about it.

Greg Vanney, Toronto head coach, should start making phone calls now.