Isaiah Johnston (born December 16, 2001) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Huntsville City in MLS Next Pro.
 Johnston in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Isaiah Johnston | ||
| Date of birth | December 16, 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Huntsville City | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Georgetown SC | |||
| Milton YSC | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019 | CBU Capers | 8 | (1) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2019 | Woodbridge Strikers | 24 | (2) |
| 2020–2022 | York United | 47 | (3) |
| 2023– | Huntsville City | 20 | (3) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 9, 2023 | |||
Early life edit
Johnston was born in Mississauga, before moving to Georgetown, when he was one year old.[1] There, he began playing soccer at age six with Georgetown SC.[1] At age thirteen, he and his family moved to Milton,[1] where he played for Milton YSC.[2] In 2017, he was named to the U18 Team Ontario for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.[3]
University career edit
In October 2018, he committed to attend Cape Breton University to play for the Cape Breton Capers for the fall of 2019.[4][5] During 2019, he was named Player of the Game twice — on September 15 in a 5–0 win over the Mount Allison Mounties and on September 22 in a 6–0 win over the Acadia Axemen.[6] In his rookie season, he won a bronze medal at the national championships[7] and he was named the AUS Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Rookie Team.[6][8] After one season, he departed Cape Breton, opting to turn professional instead.[9]
Club career edit
From 2017 to 2019, Johnston played for League1 Ontario side Woodbridge Strikers.[10][11][12] In 2019, he was invited to pre-season with York9 FC of the Canadian Premier League and was then invited to continue with their pre-season camp later in the Dominican Republic.[9]
At the 2019 CPL–U Sports Draft, Johnston was selected 10th overall by York9 FC (later renamed York United).[13][14] In July 2020, he signed his first professional contract with York.[15][16] 2021 was a breakout season for Johnston, as he became a regular starter, and was ranked the 27th best player in the Canadian Premier League at the end of the season.[17] Johnston scored his first goal for York on July 24, 2021 against FC Edmonton.[18][19] In 2021, he was nominated for the CPL Assist of the Year.[20] In November 2021, he signed an extension with the club.[21][22] On July 15, 2022, he recorded two assists in a match against Pacific FC.[23]
In December 2022, Johnston transferred to MLS Next Pro side Huntsville City FC, the reserve side of Nashville SC, for the 2023 season, becoming the team's first ever signing.[24][25] He made his debut on March 26 against Crown Legacy FC.[26]
International career edit
In 2016, he made his debut in the Canadian youth program at age 14 at an identification camp for the Canada U15 team.[1] In May 2016, he was named to the Canada U15 Select squad for the Canada Soccer U-15 Showcase, facing the Toronto FC Academy, Montreal Impact Academy, and Vancouver Whitecaps Academy teams.[2]
Career statistics edit
- As of December 9, 2023[27]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Woodbridge Strikers | 2017[10] | League1 Ontario | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 1 | |
| 2018[11] | League1 Ontario | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2019[12] | League1 Ontario | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | ||
| Total | 24 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||
| York United | 2020 | Canadian Premier League | 3 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 3 | ||
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | — | 3 | 1 | 22 | 1 | |||
| Total | 47 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 53 | 4 | ||
| Huntsville City | 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 |
| Career total | 91 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 100 | 9 | ||
References edit
- ^ a b c d Isaiah Johnston at the Canadian Soccer Association
- ^ a b "Eight Ontario Players Called To Canadian Select Squad". Ontario Soccer Association. May 3, 2016.
- ^ "Ontario Soccer announces its Canada Games rosters". Ontario Soccer Association. July 18, 2017.
- ^ "MSOC: Capers announce signing of Isaiah Johnston". Cape Breton Capers. October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Isaiah Johnston Cape Breton profile". Cape Breton Capers.
- ^ a b "2019 AUS men's soccer major award winners and all-stars announced". Atlantic University Sport. October 30, 2019.
- ^ "York9 FC signs U SPORTS pick Isaiah Johnston, releases Adrián Ugarriza". Canadian Premier League. July 6, 2020.
- ^ Jacques, John (July 6, 2020). "York9 FC Releases Adrian Ugarriza, Signs Isaiah Johnston". Northern Tribune.
- ^ a b Thompson, Marty (July 15, 2020). "Isaiah Johnston on historic York9 move, forgoing U SPORTS: 'Cape Breton created a neat stopgap'". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ a b "Isaiah Johnston 2017 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
- ^ a b "Isaiah Johnston 2018 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
- ^ a b "Isaiah Johnston 2019 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
- ^ "Record Number of CAPERS taken in CPL Draft". Cape Breton Capers. November 12, 2019.
- ^ "Congratulations to Isaiah Johnston!". Woodbridge Strikers. November 12, 2019.
- ^ "Capers rookie Johnston signs professional contract with York9 FC". SaltWire Network. July 7, 2020.
- ^ Veth, Manuel (July 7, 2020). "York9 FC sign Isaiah Johnston – Release Adrian Ugarizza". Transfermarkt.
- ^ "CPL50 – 27. Isaiah Johnston (York United)". Canadian Premier League. December 15, 2021.
- ^ Reid, Brady (July 24, 2021). "Highlights: Johnston's first CPL goal sees York United past FC Edmonton in 1–0 win". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Steiner, Ben (April 7, 2022). "Johnston set for breakout season and U SPORTS players to watch in the CPL's eastern 4". 49 Sport.
- ^ Rhodes, Benedict (December 16, 2021). "Isaiah Johnston is a focal point in a young York core: The Next Gen Presented by Jones DesLauriers , Navacord". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Jacques, John (November 1, 2021). "Isaiah Johnston Extends Contract With York United". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Isaiah Johnston signs contract extension until 2024". York United FC. November 1, 2021.
- ^ "'An immensely talented young man': Johnston sparkles as York United seek resurgence". York United FC. July 19, 2022.
- ^ "York United FC confirms transfer of Isaiah Johnston to MLS NEXT Pro side Huntsville City FC". York United FC. December 19, 2022.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 19, 2022). "Huntsville City FC Inks Isaiah Johnston". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Jacques, John (March 27, 2023). "Former CPL Talents Shine In MLS Next Pro Opening Weekend". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Isaiah Johnston at Soccerway
External links edit
- Isaiah Johnston at Soccerway