NEW YORK – Given little help from his defense for much of the game, goalkeeper Sean Johnson's efforts nearly helped New York City FC escape Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers with their home unbeaten streak in tact.
Johnson made six of his seven saves during the second half of NYCFC’s loss. He kept NYCFC's deficit at a single goal with reaction saves on a Roy Miller header in the first half and a Vytas header in the second. Still feeling the effects of a knee-on-knee collision with Darren Mattocks, Johnson nonetheless managed to run and dive to stop Diego Valeri from scoring on an open goal in what may go down as the best save of the season.
“It was tough, you know, taking a couple knocks, but you have to do what you can to push through,” said Johnson, who was nonetheless upset at the goal he conceded to Valeri earlier in the game. “You’d have to drag me off the field tonight. I was trying to do my best to stay stable throughout the last 45 minutes. I ended up putting the team in a situation where we were at a disadvantage so if I could fight through it, I was going to. You do what you can. There’s going to be games when you’re busy, games where you’re not busy. It’s just looking forward to the next one now.”
Johnson is coming off a return to the US national team during the opening stage of the Gold Cup, where he was told that he would be more involved if he was more consistent at NYCFC.
In his time back, he has had a six-save performance against the Chicago Fire and five-save performances against the New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy. Unlike in those matches, this time his efforts didn't result in points.
“I think whenever you have a goalkeeper like Sean behind you, it definitely gives you confidence,” said NYCFC defender R.J. Allen. “He’s been incredible all year and he showed it again tonight.”
New York City remain in a comfortable place in the Eastern Conference standings, five points ahead of the Fire for second, are expecting to have David Villa and Alex Ring back from minor injuries for next weekend’s game at the Colorado Rapids. Making up a nine-point gap for Supporters' Shield may be too much to ask, though the Villa and Ring back would be a start.
“Obviously we’re a little banged up,” Johnson said, “and it’s an important period for us so to get guys healthy and back is crucial coming into the last stretch of games. Once we have everybody back, that will be the first step.”
