World-traveller Will Johnson

By John F. Molinaro, CBCSports.ca

Will Johnson is only 20 years old but the Canadian forward has seen more of the world in the last 10 years than most soccer players see in a lifetime.

Born in Toronto, Johnson moved with his family as a young child to England where he first played the game.

When he was 10, the family moved back to North America, settling in Illinois, as Johnson's soccer education continued. As a teenager he headed back England to play for the youth team of Blackburn Rovers. After one season with the Premiership side, Johnson returned home to Illinois and was signed by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in 2005.

Johnson played most of the season for Chicago's reserve team but he did appear in six games for the senior roster. The Fire offered him a contract at the end of the campaign but Johnson turned it down and went on a trial with Dutch club Heerenveen, eventually signing a full-time contract with the team.

The Canadian played in 14 games for Heerenveen during the 2006-07 campaign, helping the club finish fifth overall and claim a spot in next year's UEFA Cup.

Johnson, who played for Canada at the 2005 World Youth Championship in the Netherlands, believes his short time at Heerenveen has helped him develop and grow as a player.

"Heerenveen is really known for developing young players and it has just been great since I've been there. It's been the best experience of my career so far. It's awesome," Johnson told CBCSports.ca.

Playing in a top European league, such as the Dutch Eredivisie, has allowed Johnson to test himself against some of the best players in the world.

"It's always been a dream as a kid [to play in Europe] and even watching the World Cup last summer I was thinking I would love to play against some of these players, and this year I'm playing against Edgar Davids and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, all these guys from these top clubs, and you're a little star struck and at the same time your trying to prove that you're as good as these guys and that you can do what they have done," Johnson explained.

"It makes you feel like you've got something to prove and it makes me just want it more to play against these top players."

Still, the thrill of playing for Heerenveen can't compare to the adrenaline rush Johnson gets for representing Canada.

"It's an honour, I think everybody is really excited when they get to play for their country. We got a good group of guys that all have those same feelings," Johnson said.

"When you play for your country, that's just a special feeling that you can't really describe; you have to be in that position and playing in these games for your country to know what that feels like …"

Johnson and Toronto FC forward Andrea Lombardo will lead the line for Canada at this summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup. While Lombardo offers Canada a physical presence up front, Johnson supplies the team with speed and skill.

Coach Dale Mitchell will also be relying on Johnson, a veteran of the Canadian under-20 team, for his leadership skills on the field.

It's a unique position for Johnson, considering he is used to taking orders from his Heerenveen teammates.

"It's a little weird because, it's definitely different when you're a young guy [with Heerenveen] compared to a veteran [for Canada] … I like to lead more by example on the field. That's how I like to do things, I'm not a huge yeller and screamer but once we get on the field that's when I'm getting guys together and making sure that we are all on the same page," Johnson said.

"Whereas when I'm a young guy playing [with Heerenveen] I have guys telling me what to do and helping me out and I'm just making sure that I am doing my job and not worrying about everybody else. However, I like the challenges of both. I love being a leader and leading this [Canadian] team when I have a chance to; it's an honour but it's also something that is different from what I do over there."

For a Canadian who plays his pro soccer abroad, Johnson is especially looking forward to competing at this summer's U-20 World Cup on home soil, as are his friends and family.

"I think everyone is really excited not so much for me, but guys are asking me for ridiculous amounts of tickets to have everybody they know come to these games, because this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get all there friends and family come out to see this fantastic event," Johnson said.