Isaiah Johnston Explained

Isaiah Johnston
Fullname:Isaiah Johnston
Birth Date:December 16, 2001
Birth Place:Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height:1.77 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Loudoun United
Clubnumber:44
Youthclubs1:Georgetown SC
Youthclubs2:Milton YSC
Collegeyears1:2019
College1:CBU Capers
Collegecaps1:8
Collegegoals1:1
Years1:2017–2019
Clubs1:Woodbridge Strikers
Caps1:24
Goals1:2
Years2:2020–2022
Clubs2:York United
Caps2:47
Goals2:3
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:Huntsville City
Caps3:33
Goals3:3
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Loudoun United
Caps4:7
Goals4:0
Pcupdate:August 17, 2024

Isaiah Johnston (born December 16, 2001) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Loudoun United in the USL Championship.

Early life

Johnston was born in Mississauga, before moving to Georgetown, when he was one year old. There, he began playing soccer at age six with Georgetown SC. At age thirteen, he and his family moved to Milton, where he played for Milton YSC.[1] In 2017, he was named to the U18 Team Ontario for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.[2]

University career

In October 2018, he committed to attend Cape Breton University to play for the Cape Breton Capers for the fall of 2019.[3] [4] 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. In his rookie season, he won a bronze medal at the national championships[5] and he was named the AUS Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Rookie Team.[6] [7] After one season, he departed Cape Breton, opting to turn professional instead.

Club career

From 2017 to 2019, Johnston played for League1 Ontario side Woodbridge Strikers.[8] [9] [10] 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.[11]

At the 2019 CPL–U Sports Draft, Johnston was selected 10th overall by York9 FC (later renamed York United).[12] [13] In July 2020, he signed his first professional contract with York.[14] [15] 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.[16] Johnston scored his first goal for York on July 24, 2021 against FC Edmonton.[17] [18] In 2021, he was nominated for the CPL Assist of the Year.[19] In November 2021, he signed an extension with the club.[20] [21] On July 15, 2022, he recorded two assists in a match against Pacific FC.[22]

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.[23] [24] He made his debut on March 26 against Crown Legacy FC.[25] He scored his first goal on May 12 against Chicago Fire FC II.[26] On July 9, 2023, he scored a brace in a 6-2 victory over Orlando City B.[27]

In late June 2024, Johnston joined USL Championship club Loudoun United FC on a transfer, signing a two-year contract with options for 2026 and 2027.[28] He made his debut on June 29, in a substitute appearance, against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.[29]

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. 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.

Career statistics

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Woodbridge Strikers2017League1 Ontario510051
20187030100
201912100121
Total2423000272
York United2020Canadian Premier League3030
20212531020283
202219031221
Total4731051534
Huntsville City FC2023MLS Next Pro203203
2024130130
Total3330000333
Loudoun United2024USL Championship70000070
Career total111840511209

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eight Ontario Players Called To Canadian Select Squad. May 3, 2016. Ontario Soccer Association.
  2. Web site: Ontario Soccer announces its Canada Games rosters. July 18, 2017. Ontario Soccer Association.
  3. Web site: MSOC: Capers announce signing of Isaiah Johnston. October 24, 2018. Cape Breton Capers.
  4. Web site: Isaiah Johnston Cape Breton profile. Cape Breton Capers.
  5. Web site: York9 FC signs U SPORTS pick Isaiah Johnston, releases Adrián Ugarriza. July 6, 2020. Canadian Premier League.
  6. Web site: 2019 AUS men's soccer major award winners and all-stars announced. October 30, 2019. Atlantic University Sport.
  7. Web site: York9 FC Releases Adrian Ugarriza, Signs Isaiah Johnston. July 6, 2020. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  8. Web site: Isaiah Johnston 2017 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  9. Web site: Isaiah Johnston 2018 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  10. Web site: Isaiah Johnston 2019 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  11. Web site: Marty. Thompson . Isaiah Johnston on historic York9 move, forgoing U SPORTS: ‘Cape Breton created a neat stopgap’ . Canadian Premier League. 15 July 2020.
  12. Web site: Record Number of CAPERS taken in CPL Draft. November 12, 2019. Cape Breton Capers.
  13. Web site: Congratulations to Isaiah Johnston!. November 12, 2019. Woodbridge Strikers.
  14. Web site: Capers rookie Johnston signs professional contract with York9 FC. July 7, 2020. SaltWire Network.
  15. Web site: York9 FC sign Isaiah Johnston – Release Adrian Ugarizza. July 7, 2020. Manuel. Veth. Transfermarkt.
  16. Web site: CPL50 – 27. Isaiah Johnston (York United). Canadian Premier League. December 15, 2021.
  17. Web site: Highlights: Johnston’s first CPL goal sees York United past FC Edmonton in 1–0 win. July 24, 2021. Brady. Reid. Canadian Premier League.
  18. Web site: Johnston set for breakout season and U SPORTS players to watch in the CPL’s eastern 4. April 7, 2022. 49 Sport. Ben. Steiner.
  19. Web site: Isaiah Johnston is a focal point in a young York core: The Next Gen Presented by Jones DesLauriers, Navacord. December 16, 2021. Canadian Premier League. Benedict. Rhodes.
  20. Web site: Isaiah Johnston Extends Contract With York United. November 1, 2021. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  21. Web site: Isaiah Johnston signs contract extension until 2024. November 1, 2021. York United FC.
  22. Web site: 'An immensely talented young man': Johnston sparkles as York United seek resurgence. July 19, 2022. York United FC.
  23. Web site: York United FC confirms transfer of Isaiah Johnston to MLS NEXT Pro side Huntsville City FC . . December 19, 2022.
  24. Web site: Huntsville City FC Inks Isaiah Johnston. December 19, 2022. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  25. Web site: Former CPL Talents Shine In MLS Next Pro Opening Weekend. March 27, 2023. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  26. Web site: Huntsville City Football Club Earns Two Points on the Road Following Shootout Win over Chicago Fire II. May 12, 2023. Huntsville City FC.
  27. Web site: Huntsville City FC Transfers Midfielder Isaiah Johnston to Loudoun United FC. June 28, 2024. Huntsville City FC.
  28. Web site: Loudoun United FC Sign Midfielder Isaiah Johnston Through 2025. Loudoun United FC. 28 June 2024.
  29. Web site: Match Recap - LDNvTBR. June 29, 2024. Loudoun United FC.