BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – As early-season trades go, the Chicago Fire’s acquisition of forward Jason Johnson from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for versatile midfielder Alex came somewhat out of the blue.
That’s especially true for Johnson, who arrived in Chicago this week after completing the formalities of the move and is relishing the opportunity to make an impact with his new team.
“It was a bit of a sad/happy moment for me, but I really appreciate the opportunity,” Johnson told MLSsoccer.com. “I’m really happy I’m here, I’m ready to help the team win games, win more games and get to the playoffs.”
The 24-year-old Johnson was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft (13th overall) out of VCU and registered one goal in 22 MLS appearances over the last two seasons with the Dynamo, also scoring in CONCACAF Champions League play. The Jamaican, who has not yet graduated from the Generation adidas program and thus does not count toward a team's salary budget, has yet to make an appearance so far this year.
Fire head coach Frank Yallop explained that the deal had multiple layers to it and noted that it will open up some salary-cap space for the 2016 season.
“I think the emergence of Matt Polster, David [Accam], Mikey Stephens and Victor Perez [has given us] some options in the midfield area, and [Joevin Jones] has done well at left back,” Yallop said. “So it’s a two-pronged move: It frees up some cap space for next season and gives Alex a chance of getting some playing time with another club. Picking up Jason, he had a good career in college, and maybe a change of scenery can help him, and I’m excited to have him join us.”
The 6-foot-Johnson certainly offers some height and physicality to the Fire’s attacking options, and Yallop sees him complementing the current roster with his unique qualities.
“He’s a young striker that hasn’t played that much down in Houston,” Yallop said of Johnson, who will wear the No. 7 shirt. “I thought he was good in college and in the [MLS] Combine. It’s a good opportunity for us to add a younger striker to our core. He’s left-footed, he’s powerful, plays wide left or up front. I think he’s a raw talent, and sometimes a change of scenery gets these guys moving in the right direction.”
The Fire will resume MLS action when New York City FC visit Toyota Park on Friday (8pm ET, UDN), which will end a gap of 20 days without a game for Chicago following the postponements of games against the New England Revolution and the Montreal Impact.
Johnson will be 100-percent fit and available for the game, and he’s excited for the chance to contribute to his new team in any way he can.
“From the moment you see a coach take a player from a different club or a different league, there is only always one mindset,” he said. “That is to win games. … No matter if you’re a technical player or a midfielder or defender, it’s just about using your skill set to bring to the team and helping them win games.”
