Sam Johnson ‘I’m Not Really Feeling Happy’ After RSL’s Loss To Portland

SANDY, Utah – Following RSL’s 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium, forward Sam Johnson had some critical comments for the club.

Johnson scored the lone goal for Real in the loss in the 62nd minute that tied the match before Diego Valeri gave the Timbers the lead, scoring the game-winning goal just six minutes later.

“I’m not really feeling happy,” Johnson said after the match. “After I scored of course it’s okay but I’m not feeling happy. I have to express myself now. I’m just doing a run around for the guys. Even when training it’s difficult for me to get the ball from them. They can see that I’m running around, and not very often I don’t get the ball. I’m just running around on the field. They have to trust me, I’m a player on the team. They have to trust me. I’m a striker for them. Unfortunately, we lost. I’m not happy about it but I think scoring is good,” he added.

The Liberian National Team member scored his third goal of the season and has appeared in 9 games with 5 starts.

Can’t Capitalize On Speed

Known for his speed, Johnson wasn’t pleased with RSL taking advantage of his speed to create chances.

“Sometimes it makes me angry because since I came to the U.S. I see that every time – two or three times – I try and make a run, it’s difficult,” he stated. “So sometimes you have to be fast. When you see me going, you’ve got to give the ball, you’ve got to trust me. They brought me here and if I come here, they have to trust me. If one or two times in a game, it really gets me frustrated. I’m just trying to do my best for the fans to see what I can do. It’s been really hard for me,” Johnson added.

During the match, Johnson was caught offside multiple times and head coach Mike Petke knows the reason why.

“Play quicker. Play quicker. The reason why Sam was offside tonight so many times is because the ball didn’t come, perhaps, when it should have It was a little bit too slow,” he said.

"They have to trust me." pic.twitter.com/jdcZHiKXnJ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 6, 2019

Not Many Opportunities To Score

Through the nine games played, Johnson has 8 shots and only 3 on target, all which have turned into goals for RSL. Johnson said he doesn’t get many opportunities to score.

“For every opportunity, I have to make the most of it, because in every game I only get one,” Johnson mentioned. “Maybe a maximum of two. If I have one and get one will be difficult. Getting an opportunity from Corey – which was a very good pass. It was a service. I appreciate it a lot. Thank you, Corey, thank you very much – I found the back of the net, I think it’s good,” he said.

Real Salt Lake will be back on the road on Saturday when they face the Colorado Rapids at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on sports.ksl.com and the KSL TV app.

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— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 5, 2019