PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson was named to the Canada Men’s National Team roster for a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and El Salvador, it was announced today.
Canada will open play in Group A in the fourth round of CONCACAF’s qualifying tournament for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Friday, Nov. 13, against Honduras at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C.; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific). Following the match against Honduras, Canada travels to face El Salvador on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador. Group A consists of Canada, Honduras, El Salvador and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup-champion Mexico, while the six-game, fourth-round schedule will last from Nov. 13, 2015, until September 2016. The top two teams from each of the three groups advance to the “Hex” – the final, decisive round of CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
Johnson, 28, has earned 36 caps with the Canada National Team, making his senior international debut at the age of 18 in a 1-0 win over Luxembourg on Nov. 16, 2005. He recently tallied a goal, helping Canada to a 1-1 draw against Belize on Sept. 8 in the second leg of a third-round FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Johnson started both matches against Belize as Canada earned a 4-1 win on aggregate to advance to CONCACAF’s fourth round of FIFA World Cup qualifying. Johnson was also called in for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Dominica in June, but did not make an appearance in either match.
For the Timbers, Johnson appeared in 12 games (all starts) during the 2015 regular season, making his season debut on May 27 in a 1-0 win against D.C. United after recovering from surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg. Johnson sustained the injury on Sept. 27, 2014, and missed the first 12 matches of the 2015 season. Since joining Portland in 2013, Johnson has recorded 15 goals and seven assists in 69 appearances for the Timbers, earning MLS All-Star recognition in 2013 and 2014.
