Sean Johnson, the NYCFC goalkeeper, wins MVP of the MLS Cup

Johnson made two early saves in the penalty shootout round, first against Felipe Mora and then Diego Valeri, for the 4-2 victory after regulation time and extra time ended with the score tied at 1-1.

The title of the 2021 MLS season was played at Providence Park, where throughout the game, Johnson was also the protagonist of the duel with timely saves.

Sean Johnson words

“It feels unbelievable to be able to call ourselves champions,” Johnson said after the match. “What a ride so far, this journey was crazy this year, so many ups, so many downs and we talked amongst ourselves before the game and said it’s a massive opportunity to make it all worth it. This is what we live for, these moments. To be the MVP of the [MLS Cup Final], it means the whole world, but it means so much more to lift a cup for this club.”

NYCFC manager Ronny Deila said the weight of the armband was heavy on Johnson early in the season, but the goalkeeper grew into the role and led, both in his words and actions, down the stretch of the club’s title run.

“For me, he’s the big, big winner. He wins us this game in the end,” Deila said. “The way he speaks to the team, the way he goes in front every day in training and brings people together and also when the big moments are coming, how he stands out time after time, he's a winner, a real winner, and a leader. He’s a captain the whole club should be really proud of.”

I was doing my best to make a save for my team,” Johnson said. “I was happy to make two. The guys stepped up in a big way."

Johnson’s teammates weren’t surprised by his exploits in MLS Cup 2021. After all, he also came up huge in a shootout ouster of Supporters’ Shield champions New England in the Eastern Conference Semifinals – the first of three consecutive playoff wins on the road.

Johnson closed out his post-match press conference by declaring "New York is blue," a nod to their rivalry with New York Red Bulls. The Cityzens got this title during their seventh MLS season, while RBNY is waiting 26 years and counting.

"It feels good to be champion,” Johnson said.

College career

Johnson played soccer at the University of Central Florida, where he was named the team's most valuable player in 2008. In 2010 he left college to sign an Adidas Generation contract and enter the MLS Draft.

During his college years, Johnson also played one season for the Atlanta Blackhawks of the USL Premier Development League.

Professional MLS Debut

He made his MLS debut on August 1, 2010, with Chicago Fire, in a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy, after earning the spot in the starting lineup over Andrew Dykstra. In his rookie season, he won the MLS "Goalkeeper of the Week" award in two consecutive weeks.

After six years wearing Chicago Fire´s jersey, Sean Johnson move to New York City FC in 2017. Since that year the goalkeeper plays for the citizens and until 2021 they finally achieved what they dreamt of since the club was founded.