Johnson
finished sixth in the Golden Boot race with a club record 14 goals, and
added three assists. The U.S. international playing his first season
for Seattle appeared in a career-high 28 matches and helped Sounders FC
reach the Western Conference Championship for the first time in club
history. He also led the league with nine header goals, and added three
goals in outside competitions.
"I
would like the entire Sounders organization for giving me this
opportunity in Seattle," said Johnson. "This was a fun and exciting year
and I share this award with my coaches and teammates for pushing me to
be the best player I can be."
Johnson,
28, signed with Sounders FC on February 17 after playing four years in
Europe. He has been capped 44 times by the US National Team, including
two appearances in 2012 World Cup Qualifiers. In his return to the
national team, Johnson netted two goals against Antigua and Barbuda and
an assist against Guatemala, helping the United States advance to the
hexagonal stage. He now has 14 goals for the US National Team, and ranks
second all-time with 10 goals in World Cup Qualifiers.
Johnson
was named MLS Player of the Week twice this season (Weeks 22 and 27)
and was named to the Team of the Week three times. Johnson was also
named an MLS All-Star for the third time in his career. He was
previously named Comeback Player of the Year with Kansas City in 2007.