Fabian Johnson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Fabian Johnson never played for the Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, or Toronto FC. His MLS career was spent entirely with the Chicago Fire from 2016 to 2020. A versatile winger and fullback, he represented the United States men's national team and enjoyed a successful Bundesliga career with Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1899 Hoffenheim. The events described in earlier records—such as being traded from Real Salt Lake, captaining Portland, scoring for the Timbers, and suffering a leg injury against Toronto FC—actually belong to Canadian midfielder Will Johnson, a completely different player.

In Their Own Story

The 2014 MLS All-Star Game against Bayern Munich saw Johnson brought in at halftime. He became captain at the 73rd minute after Landon Donovan was substituted. At the 88th minute, he received a yellow card for a hard tackle on Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who suffered a bruised ankle and had to exit what would be his last game until November. Earlier that season, on March 30, 2013, Johnson scored his first goals for Portland, both in a 2–2 draw against the Colorado Rapids, earning MLS Player of the Week. His 2014 season ended on September 27 when a collision with Toronto FC defender Mark Bloom fractured the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

Reader's Guide

Will Johnson joined the Portland Timbers via trade from Real Salt Lake on December 3, 2012, as part of a salary cap move. He was named team captain by coach Caleb Porter on February 26, 2013. His first goals for Portland came on March 30, 2013, when he scored both goals in a 2–2 draw against the Colorado Rapids, earning MLS Player of the Week. He was selected for the 2014 MLS All-Star roster and played against Bayern Munich. His 2014 season ended early after a collision with Toronto FC defender Mark Bloom on September 27, 2014, fractured the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Johnson was traded to Toronto FC in December 2015 in exchange for a conditional second-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and targeted allocation money.

Did You Know?

• Fabian Johnson was born in Munich, Germany, to a German mother and an African-American father, and represented the United States internationally after switching his FIFA eligibility in 2011.
• He played in the Bundesliga for clubs like 1899 Hoffenheim and Borussia Mönchengladbach, and also competed in the Champions League with Mönchengladbach.
• Johnson never played for the Portland Timbers; the player often confused with him is Canadian midfielder Will Johnson, who captained Portland from 2013–2015.