Isaiah Johnston

Isaiah Johnston (born December 16, 2001) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Huntsville City in MLS Next Pro.

Isaiah Johnston
Johnston in 2022
Personal information
Full name Isaiah Johnston
Date of birth (2001-12-16) 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 15 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 29, 2023

Early life

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

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

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

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
As of October 12, 2022[27]
Club statistics
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Woodbridge Strikers 2017[10] League1 Ontario 5100—51
2018[11] League1 Ontario 7030—100
2019[12] League1 Ontario 12100—121
Total 2423000272
York United 2020 Canadian Premier League 30——30
2021 2531020283
2022 190—31221
Total 4731051534
Career total 7154051806

    References
    1. Isaiah Johnston at the Canadian Soccer Association
    2. "Eight Ontario Players Called To Canadian Select Squad". Ontario Soccer Association. May 3, 2016.
    3. "Ontario Soccer announces its Canada Games rosters". Ontario Soccer Association. July 18, 2017.
    4. "MSOC: Capers announce signing of Isaiah Johnston". Cape Breton Capers. October 24, 2018.
    5. "Isaiah Johnston Cape Breton profile". Cape Breton Capers.
    6. "2019 AUS men's soccer major award winners and all-stars announced". Atlantic University Sport. October 30, 2019.
    7. "York9 FC signs U SPORTS pick Isaiah Johnston, releases Adrián Ugarriza". Canadian Premier League. July 6, 2020.
    8. Jacques, John (July 6, 2020). "York9 FC Releases Adrian Ugarriza, Signs Isaiah Johnston". Northern Tribune.
    9. Thompson, Marty (July 15, 2020). "Isaiah Johnston on historic York9 move, forgoing U SPORTS: 'Cape Breton created a neat stopgap'". Canadian Premier League.
    10. "Isaiah Johnston 2017 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
    11. "Isaiah Johnston 2018 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
    12. "Isaiah Johnston 2019 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
    13. "Record Number of CAPERS taken in CPL Draft". Cape Breton Capers. November 12, 2019.
    14. "Congratulations to Isaiah Johnston!". Woodbridge Strikers. November 12, 2019.
    15. "Capers rookie Johnston signs professional contract with York9 FC". SaltWire Network. July 7, 2020.
    16. Veth, Manuel (July 7, 2020). "York9 FC sign Isaiah Johnston – Release Adrian Ugarizza". Transfermarkt.
    17. "CPL50 – 27. Isaiah Johnston (York United)". Canadian Premier League. December 15, 2021.
    18. Reid, Brady (July 24, 2021). "Highlights: Johnston's first CPL goal sees York United past FC Edmonton in 1–0 win". Canadian Premier League.
    19. Steiner, Ben (April 7, 2022). "Johnston set for breakout season and U SPORTS players to watch in the CPL's eastern 4". 49 Sport.
    20. 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.
    21. Jacques, John (November 1, 2021). "Isaiah Johnston Extends Contract With York United". Northern Tribune.
    22. "Isaiah Johnston signs contract extension until 2024". York United FC. November 1, 2021.
    23. "'An immensely talented young man': Johnston sparkles as York United seek resurgence". York United FC. July 19, 2022.
    24. "York United FC confirms transfer of Isaiah Johnston to MLS NEXT Pro side Huntsville City FC". York United FC. December 19, 2022.
    25. Jacques, John (December 19, 2022). "Huntsville City FC Inks Isaiah Johnston". Northern Tribune.
    26. Jacques, John (March 27, 2023). "Former CPL Talents Shine In MLS Next Pro Opening Weekend". Northern Tribune.
    27. Isaiah Johnston at Soccerway
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