Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timbers acquire Ryan Johnson and Miloš Kocić

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By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Portland Timbers have acquired forward/midfielder Ryan Johnson and goaltender Miloš Kocić. In exchange, Toronto FC received goaltender Joe Bendik, a 2013 first-round draft pick, and allocation money.

Bendik was in his first season with the Timbers before this deal. The 22-year-old played in the United States for the first time after the Georgia native played his first professional season at Sogndal in Norway.

Former Toronto FC goaltender Milos Kocic makes a save in front of Marco Pappa against the Chicago Fire during an MLS match
Milos Kocic makes a save in front of Marco Pappa against the Chicago Fire during an MLS match (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

With the Timbers, he appeared in five matches. He made three starts.

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Bendik made 11 saves on the season in limited action. He had a 57.9% save percentage and 2.20 goals against 90 average.

Kocić has played the last three seasons with Toronto FC. He began his career with D.C. United during the 2009 season.

With Toronto FC, he appeared in 37 matches. He made 35 starts. He had a 9-11-17 record in the net. He also had a 67.4 save percentage and a 1.69 goals against-90 average in 3,192 minutes.

This past season, he appeared in 27 matches. He made 27 starts. Kocić went 5-6-16 in those games with a 63.6 save percentage and 1.74 goals against 90 average.

“With the addition of Milos, we felt it was important to add another experienced goalkeeper to strengthen our depth in that position,” Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson said. “He has been a regular starter in this league and has worked with our goalkeeper coach Mike Toshack before, making the transition to Portland even easier.”

Johnson was in his second season with Toronto FC before the trade. He has been playing in Major League Soccer since 2008. He also played in MLS with Real Salt Lake and Chicago Fire in 2006 before signing with Oster in Sweden in 2007.

This past season, Johnson appeared in 31 matches. He made 31 starts. He had seven goals with two assists in 2,768 minutes.

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The seven goals were the most in a season since 2009 when he had 11 goals with the San Jose Earthquakes.

“After weighing our immediate needs and evaluating the college pool, we felt it was in the club’s best interest to give up a draft pick to secure a talented goal-scorer and an experienced player like Ryan. He adds another weapon to our attacking group and can create goals in a number of ways. He also offers versatility in a number of positions in either a three- or two-front system.”

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Anthony Caruso III
Anthony Caruso IIIhttps://thecapitalsportsreport.com
Anthony Caruso III is the Publisher of The Capital Sports Report. He has been in the Journalism field since August 2002. Since that time, Mr. Caruso has covered many marquee events. This includes 13 Heisman Trophy ceremonies, 2 Little World Series events, and one Army-Navy College Football game.
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