PORTLAND, Ore. -- Former Portland Timbers forward Eddie Johnson is suing the Major League Soccer team for $9.9 million, alleging that he was allowed to practice while he still had concussion symptoms. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. It names the Timbers ownership group, Peregrine Sports LLC, and members of the teams medical staff. Johnson sustained a concussion before a game Aug. 3, 2011, and another one 11 days later, prompting the team to rule him out for the rest of the season. The lawsuit alleges that when he returned for the MLS preseason in 2012, he was still experiencing symptoms. The native of Chester, England, retired that April after another head injury. The lawsuit claims that the Johnson suffered "serious and permanent traumatic head and brain injuries" that caused headaches, memory impairment, impaired balance, blurred vision, dizziness and other conditions. "Johnson has and will continue to suffer loss of function and ability, pain, discomfort, mental suffering, anxiety, and inconvenience and interference with his normal and usual activities," the lawsuit said. The Timbers said in a statement released Thursday that they would not comment specifically on the lawsuit, but said the team follows all MLS health-related protocols for players. "Additionally, we approach head injuries with extra caution and err on the side of conservatism above and beyond official protocol when dealing with them," the team said. "We have an expert staff of physicians and trainers and stand by them and their evaluations," the teams statement said. Johnson played professionally in England and the United State for more than 10 years. His career started with Manchester United and he appeared with the first team during the 2003-04 season. He played for several English clubs before moving to the United States in 2009. He was one of the first four players signed by the Timbers for their inaugural MLS season in 2011. He appeared in seven league matches and had a goal during his time in Portland. Sebastian Rode Jersey . Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies. Fabian Benko Bayern Munich Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. http://www.soccerfcbayernshop.com/kids-t...-munich-jersey/. -- The Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Graham Harrell to the active roster from the practice squad and placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve. Marco Friedl Bayern Munich Jersey . -- Kael Mouillierat scored three times and set up one more as the St. Arturo Vidal Jersey . First, Ivan Nova decided to have season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery. Then Michael Pineda was suspended for 10 games for using pine tar.NEW YORK -- As Michelle Kwan chats with members of Figure Skating in Harlem, she sees a whole lot of herself in the young girls. And those girls hope to emulate Kwan. The nine-time U.S. champion and five-time world winner has been active with the inner-city club almost since its inception in 1997. She was honoured Monday night at the FSH gala for inspiring the hundreds of young girls who have been in the program. "Michelle is the perfect role model for our students with the way she conducts herself as a person, as an athlete, as an employee of the state department," FSH founder Sharon Cohen said. "Her career and life show where hard work and perseverance and talent can take you." Kwan, a two-time Olympic medallist , now serves as a senior adviser for public diplomacy and public affairs and as an envoy at the Department of State. Her husband, Clay Pell, is running for governor of Rhode Island. Kwans success in and out of sports didnt come easily, and she can recall times when she was in a similar situation to some of FSHs students. She received grants from U.S. Figure Skating and from the Womens Sports Foundation during her formative years as a skater -- at a time when Kwan and older sister Karen werent sure they could continue in the sport. "These underserved young girls get an opportunity to skate they otherwise might not have," Kwan said. "My personal background, both Karen and myself ... our parents were not well off. To be able to afford a used pair of skates and hand-me-downs in costumes and other stuff, I remember that vividly. "Imagine if one of those times you have to tell your kids, We cant afford it. I can relate to that. "And these young girls benefit sso much.dddddddddddd It really is about the skills you learn from sports. Physical activity, being with friends, teamwork, but also the discipline it takes, the hours of dedication, being able to concentrate on one thing at a time. You have to learn in life how to juggle things; being a student-athlete is the same as in life." Kwan began her day with a visit to Haverstraw Elementary, a school in suburban Rockland County, where she spoke to fifth graders who just happened to be studying her career. She stressed the importance of opportunity, education and empowerment -- all themes Figure Skating in Harlem embraces. Then Kwan headed to Wolman Rink in Central Park, where dozens of her peers were on hand to not only honour her, but to skate with the youngsters aged 6 to 18 who make up FSHs roster. Olympic medallists Scott Hamilton, Sasha Cohen, Tim Goebel, Paul Wylie, Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner, Jason Brown and Jeremy Abbott showed up to support Kwan and Figure Skating in Harlem. "Our students learn through the education programs and our skating program of the importance of working hard and asking for help when you need it," Cohen said. "They see the changes in themselves that this leads to, in their confidence and in their abilities to achieve their goals. "Someone like Michelle gives them an incentive to work hard because they see the rewards, the personal rewards, that Michelle embodies. She exudes sportsmanship and grace and an inner drive, as well as outer success. Michelle worked to be the best she can be in all aspects, and anybody can learn from that. She carries herself with such assurance and grace. Those are traits that will help anyone succeed in this world." ' ' '