TORONTO – Ryan Johnson was in a state of disbelief.
The Jamaican international was still trying to figure out how Toronto FC lost a club-record fifth straight match, 1-0 to Chivas USA on Saturday afternoon. It marks the club's worst start in its six-year history.
“It’s probably one of those games that you’ll probably never forget,” Johnson said.
It was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Highlights: TOR 0, CHV 1
The one moment that will likely remain with Johnson is the 80th minute shot he sent on goal that was cleared off the line by Heath Pearce. Johnson appeared to have secured the equalizer but Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy deflected the left-footed shot, allowing Pearce to block the ball on the slide.
After the play, Johnson sank to his knees at the edge of the penalty area and slowly lowered his head go the ground.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Johnson said, sitting on the floor of the gymnasium at BMO Field. “Credit to [Pearce], never giving up on a play and that’s the definition right there. Never give up on a play because you never know what’s going to happen and it worked for them today.”
A few minutes later Johnson put a header back across the goal that was just wide of the right post. The forward once again collapsed face-down on the pitch in frustration.
In the opening minutes of the second half, and perhaps an omen, Johnson had his header cleared off the goal line by Miller Bolanos, who was guarding the right post.
“This is probably the most unlucky I’ve been in my whole career,” Johnson said. “It’s mind-boggling. I can’t believe what just happened today.
“Koevermans also had some goals were even more clear-cut than mine. The keeper made some unbelievable saves. I don’t think he even saw the ball on those saves. Credit to him. They didn’t go in and that is the reality of it.”
