Rodway Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Johnson skips school for MLS By NEIL DAVIDSON Will Johnson shown last month. (CP PICTURE ARCHIVE, AP/Ginnette Riquelme) (CP) - Both of Will Johnson's parents are physicists, so education - not to mention brains - is big in the Johnson household. But the Johnson family is also into soccer and Will's parents understood when their son elected to forgo college and sign with the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. "I had a few colleges call me and stuff, but I had a talk with my parents and coaches and eventually made the decision (to play soccer)," Johnson said from the Fire training camp in Bradenton, Fla. "Both my parents have PhDs and I've sort of skipped college for now," he added. "But I do plan to do some college work though." Canadian soccer officials will be keeping a close eye on how the 18-year-old striker does with the Fire this season. Johnson played all three games in Canada's successful qualifying campaign in January for the World Youth Championship and is expected to feature prominently with the Canadian team this summer in the Netherlands. Under-20 coach Dale Mitchell likes what he sees already - a forward who can finish with both feet. "I think he could be a good one for us down the road," he said recently. Chicago, which made him the third-youngest signing in club history, also thinks so. "We think he has a great future in this league with the Fire," head coach Dave Sarachan said in a statement. Johnson's family is English, but Will was born in Toronto while his parents were working at the University of Toronto. The family moved back to England and Will grew up in Liverpool before the Johnsons picked up stakes and headed to Chicago when he was 10. It has been his home ever since. His parents work at the Argonne National Laboratory, a research facility operated by the University of Chicago. Because of his years in the U.S., Johnson has a green card so is not considered an import by MLS. Liverpool is divided between red and blue when it comes to soccer. The entire Johnson family falls in the red camp of Liverpool, rather than the blue of Everton. "I'm a big, actually a huge, Liverpool fan," said Johnson. "I still follow them." The Johnsons went to Anfield whenever they could get tickets. "A memorable experience," Johnson recalled. He wouldn't mind going back. Playing European soccer remains a dream down the line. Soccer has always been Johnson's sport - his "passion." Most recently he played for the FC Sockers Chicago, although he worked out with the Fire last season and had two training stints with England's Blackburn Rovers in 2003 and 2004. Johnson credits Sockers coaches Brett Hall and David Richardson for always finding him a game or training, as needed. "They were always there for me." "I always played two or three years older than me, which helped when I was 13 or 14. The last few years I've been playing in this men's league with a lot of good (NCAA) Division I college players who come home in the fall and they play with us." At 5-10 and 160 pounds, Johnson likes to play up front in tandem with a big man, providing him with flick-ons and passes. It's no surprise then that he enjoys watching Michael Owen, the 5-9, 154-pound Real Madrid striker who played Teller to Emile Heskey's Penn while the two were at Liverpool. For Canada, Johnson started two of the qualifying games in Honduras and came on as a substitute in the third, a meaningless contest as far as the standings went. He savoured the national team experience. "We had such good team chemistry and we brought that onto the field. Everybody helped each other out," he explained. "It was one of the better experiences of my career so far. It was a great experience to go into a Central American country and get results like that with a bunch of guys that I had only known some of them for a few weeks." The Fire will have no problems releasing him for the world championships, said Johnson, who only turned 18 on Jan. 21. "Because they know for most people it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although I'm going to get to go twice, I hope." That's because Johnson is young enough to qualify for the 2007 tournament in Canada. Notes: Jamaica and Cuba have qualified for this summer's Gold Cup in the U.S. thanks to wins Tuesday in the Caribbean Cup soccer tournament. Barbados will play Trinidad and Tobago for the third Caribbean spot in the Gold Cup on Thursday. Trinidad can qualify with a win or a tie. Defending champion Mexico, U.S. and Canada have automatic berths in the Gold Cup. On Monday, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica booked their tickets by reaching the semifinals of the UNCAF Cup. South Africa and another guest country will make up the 12-country field. The tournament schedule will be announced March 2 ... Fox Sports World Canada blames a "communication glitch" for its failure to show the West Brom-Southampton game as advertised Tuesday. Another contributing factor was that the fixture was a late addition to the Premier League schedule ... The Vancouver Whitecaps will host Sunderland of England's League Championship on July 16 at Swangard Stadium ... Former Canadian international Lyndon Hooper has been named assistant coach with the Toronto Lynx ... The CSA is close to announcing more men's friendlies at home and abroad. Croatia is not one of them, contrary to some Internet speculation, the CSA says ... The San Jose Earthquakes have picked up the option on veteran Canadian goalkeeper Pat Onstad's contract. The Quakes are still waiting on out-of-contract striker Dwayne DeRosario, whose most recently European stop was a training stint with Blackburn, to see if he returns to MLS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 "The CSA is close to announcing more men's friendlies at home and abroad. Croatia is not one of them, contrary to some Internet speculation, the CSA says." I'm sure this has been noted elsewhere, but I just pulled this from the bottom of Neil's article. Perhaps Croat could shed some light on this. (Or have we been had?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSoccerFan Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Seems like everyone including the CSA reads this board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timotas Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Good to see that Johnson's mind looks to be set on playing for Canada, which is great news. This whole new generation of Canadian soccer starlets is only positive for our program which will obviously benefit us for years to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Hmm a few comments.... Looks like Croat has some explaining to do. Maybe he was just mistaken? Nice to see Johnson picking Canada over England and the USA. We could see the game announced in Montreal next I suppose, and maybe one in London England, as Davidson reported a while back. Anyhow I hope Croatia or not that we get at least one friendly on home soil. Thats it, just one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 I know one thing, I'm starting to like Will Johnson more and more. When you see people born and raised in Canada hedging at callups, and then Johnson and Marcel DeJong decide to take up the offer despite having other potential options, it is heartening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Andrew W I know one thing, I'm starting to like Will Johnson more and more. When you see people born and raised in Canada hedging at callups, and then Johnson and Marcel DeJong decide to take up the offer despite having other potential options, it is heartening. Yeah, I have to agree. Most of us have become a bit "gun-shy" in the wake of Hargreaves (long-ago) decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc_soccer_fan Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Anyone know if Will has a brother? Just wondering because there is another player from Woodridge, Illinois who plays for the Chicago Sockers named Ben Johnson. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/tds/References/Boys%20Players%20to%20Watch%20List_Classes%20of%202006-2009.html Ben Johnson IL Chicago Sockers D/M 2007 http://www.iysa.org/web/illinoiskicksJuly302004.htm he was on the Under-16 Illinois ODP State Team (1988 Boys) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccer dad Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Looks like FY has been following this site.Wouldn't it be fun to be a fly on the wall and see his reaction to some of the posts. Instead of trying to get an interview with him, seeing as he's reading this anyhow, maybe we could just invite him to post some explanations.Give him a list of say 3 or 4 questions each week and he could post answers once a week. We could collectively decide on what questions to present each week so that they were in good taste and we didn't waste any of our limited questions on something that is only meant to be insulting. It should be regulated so as not to turn each topic into a long winded debate but more straight forward limited to 1 or 2 line question followed by short but sweet,to the point answer. We could give him some kind of honorary Voyageur title/status/thread to encourage him and spur his cooperation.He could do a Coach's Corner sorta thing.The Don Cherry of Canadian soccer.He surely wouldn't go for it if he thought he would only be torn to shreds if he exposed himself here. How about it Frank?We know you are watching.Perhaps if you supported the V's they would support you, not just your players.It could be a good thing all the way around if everyone could keep their emotions in check. Maybe, if this could be done professionally it would garner a mutual respect between the Voyaguers and the CSA.The Voyaguers could be the official medium of the CSA.You heard it here first.Everyone knows there is more text written here about Canadian soccer than every newspaper combined. This would be a truly productive and supportive venture to partake in. Maybe we could just start a regulated FY question forum and Frank can jump in whenever he is ready with the answers.I don't think that it is unreasonable to expect for him to respond, as public relations comes with the job and he might as well direct it towards those who actually care about Canadian Soccer. Mods-Wasn't sure which thread this would be most appropriate.Please move it or create it's own thread as you see fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstackho Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Wow, what an unnecessary, yet refreshing, Penn & Teller reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juaninho Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 quote:Originally posted by soccer dad Instead of trying to get an interview with him, seeing as he's reading this anyhow, maybe we could just invite him to post some explanations.Give him a list of say 3 or 4 questions each week and he could post answers once a week. We could collectively decide on what questions to present each week so that they were in good taste and we didn't waste any of our limited questions on something that is only meant to be insulting. It should be regulated so as not to turn each topic into a long winded debate but more straight forward limited to 1 or 2 line question followed by short but sweet,to the point answer. We could give him some kind of honorary Voyageur title/status/thread to encourage him and spur his cooperation.He could do a Coach's Corner sorta thing.The Don Cherry of Canadian soccer.He surely wouldn't go for it if he thought he would only be torn to shreds if he exposed himself here. How about it Frank?We know you are watching.Perhaps if you supported the V's they would support you, not just your players.It could be a good thing all the way around if everyone could keep their emotions in check. Maybe, if this could be done professionally it would garner a mutual respect between the Voyaguers and the CSA.The Voyaguers could be the official medium of the CSA.You heard it here first.Everyone knows there is more text written here about Canadian soccer than every newspaper combined. This would be a truly productive and supportive venture to partake in. Maybe we could just start a regulated FY question forum and Frank can jump in whenever he is ready with the answers.I don't think that it is unreasonable to expect for him to respond, as public relations comes with the job and he might as well direct it towards those who actually care about Canadian Soccer. I edited some of the above out, but i don't know to which aspect to respond. Well, any direct contact the CSA or Frank Yallop should have with this board should be minimal at best, and probably to be avoided. I would propose that maybe a town-hall type meeting/web chat would be best, but even this has its host of problems. Frank is not accountable to us directly, he's accountable to the CSA. And i don't know if the voyageurs' board should be the mouthpiece of the CSA, as A. we are not objective, and B. we are not here to spread the 'good news' of the CSA. It would be a situation like Russia had with 'Pravda', a newspaper that functioned to toe the party line. Objective criticism would result in people pulling their punches and lobbing inocuous soft-ball questions/comments. Yallop should keep his distance. He should justify his existence through results, not with verbal justifications. Besides, the CSA needs to use its energy to expand its fan base, not cater to a small cadre of soccer loyalists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 quote:Originally posted by juaninho I edited some of the above out, but i don't know to which aspect to respond. Well, any direct contact the CSA or Frank Yallop should have with this board should be minimal at best, and probably to be avoided. I would propose that maybe a town-hall type meeting/web chat would be best, but even this has its host of problems. Frank is not accountable to us directly, he's accountable to the CSA. And i don't know if the voyageurs' board should be the mouthpiece of the CSA, as A. we are not objective, and B. we are not here to spread the 'good news' of the CSA. It would be a situation like Russia had with 'Pravda', a newspaper that functioned to toe the party line. Objective criticism would result in people pulling their punches and lobbing inocuous soft-ball questions/comments. Yallop should keep his distance. He should justify his existence through results, not with verbal justifications. Besides, the CSA needs to use its energy to expand its fan base, not cater to a small cadre of soccer loyalists. I like the gist of what SoccerDad is getting at--the spirit of it--but I agree with Juaninho on all his various points. If Frank agreed to do a real interview with a real writer--some of us can fill that role--and we posted the interview on an official soccer news site--this one would serve very well--and he was treated with respect, then I think we'd find ourselves one of them win-win-win situations. The resulting interview would NOT be posted on the forum, but on the news page of this site, among other news articles and the odd editorial (opinion pieces or first-person narratives). Frank does not have to justify anything to us, but there are huge benefits to his providing answers to key questions. Yes, the CSA should work hard to build its fan-base, but a rabid group such as ours can do much to help grow this, too. If the CSA can keep the Voyageurs on board--but not at all costs, mind you--then everyone benefits. Out of curiousity, Juaninho and SoccerDad, if we established a stronger, more pro-active soccer news arm of this site, would you be interested in contributing? I know that this may not be in the books, that the mods et al may have other ideas, that the existing news arm may be as far as we go, but I just want to see what sort of interest there'd be. I've published and edited and managed a couple of magazines, and currently work in publishing, so I have a good idea of what it would take to make this work. And I know many of you have reporting, writing and other such skills that could really help make this work. Perhaps this is something I'll have to start on another site, but I am pretty damned committed to this site and can't see the point in reinventing the wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstackho Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Beavie, I just wanted to let you know that I would be very happy if you did start something like this. I have always enjoyed reading your posts, and your writing skills are excellent. I enjoy the rare interviews that one finds with Canadian soccer players. I like the interviews that go beyond the soccer so that we get to learn something about the person behind the footballer. I considered trying to do something like this, but professional writing is a difficult skill, and one that I don't have. I envisioned starting a set of interviews with someone like a Stalteri who appears to be willing to do interviews and should be easy to contact. I'm sure that interviewing is also a skill that needs to be honed, along with the skills needed to convert it into an interesting and cohesive article. And of course, there's also the matter that this would take a fair amount of someone's time. Writing (for me) is a slow process. So I understand why most people would not be willing to take this on. But just to let you know that you would have a very interested reader in me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juaninho Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 quote:Originally posted by The Beaver I like the gist of what SoccerDad is getting at--the spirit of it--but I agree with Juaninho on all his various points. If Frank agreed to do a real interview with a real writer--some of us can fill that role--and we posted the interview on an official soccer news site--this one would serve very well--and he was treated with respect, then I think we'd find ourselves one of them win-win-win situations. The resulting interview would NOT be posted on the forum, but on the news page of this site, among other news articles and the odd editorial (opinion pieces or first-person narratives). Frank does not have to justify anything to us, but there are huge benefits to his providing answers to key questions. Yes, the CSA should work hard to build its fan-base, but a rabid group such as ours can do much to help grow this, too. If the CSA can keep the Voyageurs on board--but not at all costs, mind you--then everyone benefits. Out of curiousity, Juaninho and SoccerDad, if we established a stronger, more pro-active soccer news arm of this site, would you be interested in contributing? I know that this may not be in the books, that the mods et al may have other ideas, that the existing news arm may be as far as we go, but I just want to see what sort of interest there'd be. I've published and edited and managed a couple of magazines, and currently work in publishing, so I have a good idea of what it would take to make this work. And I know many of you have reporting, writing and other such skills that could really help make this work. Perhaps this is something I'll have to start on another site, but I am pretty damned committed to this site and can't see the point in reinventing the wheel. I think an e-zine would work. Something that provides vertical information about soccer in Canada, meaning from the Men's and Women's National teams, down to the competitive pro leagues, and then down to the various comings and goings of provincial associations. I'd be willing to contribute, though I make no allusions to being or having the following: a. a journalist. b. being a populist writer. c. having 'connections' to get stories. (i'm no Huggy Bear) d. having lots of time available to maximise the opportunity. This will take a lot of work to realise. Getting willing contributors who try to be objective yet critical in a fair sense, people willing to co-operate with information. Defining what the goal/ambition/focus of the e-zine will be. Deciding if the e-zine will be targetted to create/expand soccer interest (though this is related to the last point). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Juaninho and sstackho, thanks for the input. Your ideas are very good and much in keeping with what I am envisioning--broadly, at least. I absolutely believe the focus/vision for the zine would be the same as the one held for the Voyageurs: to be a Canadian Soccer Supporter. This would mean covering the full range of Canadian Soccer activities--as listed by Juaninho--and including in-depth player interviews, "breaking news" items, tables from domestic clubs--among other features. By the very act of covering Canadian soccer in an active and comprehensive and engaging manner, I feel confident we could have an even larger impact than any other news source extant. Yes, this would require a fair bit of work on an ongoing basis, but with creativity and strong imagination, i am pretty sure we could create a news page that would work very well. The big work would come during the conceptual, set up phase, before the new page is even launched. If funding could be arranged--agency or otherwise--this could allow a managing editor to at least work part-time, and perhaps could pay writers and designers a nominal fee for their efforts. On a related but separate note, in the wake of what looks to be a very successful Voyageur scarf venture, I'd like us to consider drafting a "Voyageur song-book" and a "Guide on How to Cheer for Canada" pamphlet (both of which would feature our web address etc). Yes, the fans of our opponents often out number us at games, but we DO get decent numbers of Canadians out, most of whom do not know what to do or sing or say. Imagine if we could just get those fans to join us in song! What progress that would be! Funding such a venture may seem daunting, but I am certain we could come up with hundreds of ideas to find the cash. I offer my editorial and publishing expertises--and I am sure all of you lords of song will offer up your lyrics, and we have a couple of design dudes in the wings, what with their scarf ideas and all. (Of course, we need some home games to make all of this useful, but that is another matter.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Sorry--two more quick things: 1) Neil Davidson is a very fine soccer reporter. 2) Our page functions more or less as a web-zine, though the articles are too out of date for the page to have any currency (in both senses of the word). I suppose I am suggesting a more active news page, with regular features, on-going reportage, and professional editing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex M Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I wouldn't be dissapointed one bit if he decided to play for the usa. He grew up there and it's totally understandable if he were to switch countries. Alex quote:Originally posted by Timotas Good to see that Johnson's mind looks to be set on playing for Canada, which is great news. This whole new generation of Canadian soccer starlets is only positive for our program which will obviously benefit us for years to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackieJohnson Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 quote:Originally posted by bc_soccer_fan Anyone know if Will has a brother? Just wondering because there is another player from Woodridge, Illinois who plays for the Chicago Sockers named Ben Johnson. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/tds/References/Boys%20Players%20to%20Watch%20List_Classes%20of%202006-2009.html Ben Johnson IL Chicago Sockers D/M 2007 http://www.iysa.org/web/illinoiskicksJuly302004.htm he was on the Under-16 Illinois ODP State Team (1988 Boys) Yes, Ben is Will's brother - Jackie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadiankick97 Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 quote:Originally posted by JackieJohnson Yes, Ben is Will's brother - Jackie Jackie, was Ben also born in Canada? Thanks for the information. Good luck to Will in Chicago this year. cheers, matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackieJohnson Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 quote:Originally posted by matthew Jackie, was Ben also born in Canada? Thanks for the information. Good luck to Will in Chicago this year. cheers, matthew No he wasn't, he was born in Liverpool, UK Thanks for the support for Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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