PALM COAST — The love/hate affair from Orlando City fans can come to an end for at least this winter, as the DC United forward told O-Town’s 11 on Wednesday that, contrary to what many believe might happen next week, United will protect him in the upcoming Expansion Draft, meaning the Florida-born striker won’t be coming home to Florida anytime soon.

United invested a ton of money in Johnson last winter, acquiring him in a trade with the Seattle Sounders then quickly making him a designated player for almost $700,000 a year on a three-year deal. And it’s because of that big contract that, according to Johnson, DC plans on keeping him for at least another season.

Johnson currently has two more years left on his contract, but says he’s been doing everything he can to join Orlando City because playing in Florida before all is said and done is something he would love nothing more than to do.

“When (MLS) had the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion and when I was coming into the draft, being a Florida native you want to play in your home state.” he told O-Town’s 11. “You see the growth of soccer here in America, and them adding franchises in different cities, and we were hoping to get a team back here and they finally did.

“I always said to myself that one day I would like to finish my career in front of my home fans. … That’s the reality of it, but right now I’m contracted by DC United, and I’m committed to DC United; but I’d be lying if I said that at some point, before I’m done lacing the boots, I wouldn’t love to have a shot at playing in Florida, where I’m from, in front of my family.”

Johnson scored seven goals in 26 appearances (22 starts) in his first season with DC United, turning in some better performances down the stretched as he become a little more adjusted to the system run by head coach Ben Olsen, who was named MLS Coach of the Year this week.

A target striker is currently one of Orlando City’s biggest areas of need right now as they head into the Expansion Draft next week, and Eddie Johnson won’t be the man filling that need.