Eddies' Johann Smith Continues To Build Towards Becoming A Complete Player

Johann Smith has ventured around the globe, absorbed cultures, and added to his game as a soccer player in the process. 

As a teenager, he was set on moving to England, having to leave his family to accomplish the dream. He landed with Bolton Wanderers, who at the time were in the English Premier League, starting in their academy as a 17-year old, and two years later making his league debut against Manchester United, as an 85^th-minute substitute.

“It was life changing,” Smith told NASL.com. “It was something I always wanted to do.”

From England, after loan spells at various clubs around the country, he moved to Toronto FC (Canada) than to Rijeka (Croatia), Kalmar FF (Sweden), Kuopion Palloseura or KuPS (Finland), and spent last season between Adelaide Raiders and Cumberland United (Australia).

“Wherever you go there’s going to be a different culture in terms of food, language, and how you carry yourself, but in terms of the soccer as well,” he said.

“Every country has their own way of playing, so everywhere I’ve been I’ve taken a little bit and added to my game. I still want to become a complete player and build on what I have.”

But it was his time in England that helped facilitate his move to FC Edmonton ahead of the 2015 Spring Season. Colin Miller, who is a Scotland native (and played for Canada internationally), has a style that Smith likes to play.

“The coach played at a good level – a high level – so he knows his stuff,” he said. “He’s British and I played in England for four years of my career, so it was good to come back to a coach with a certain type of mentality, a certain type of drive.”

Moving to Edmonton has brought about different responsibilities on the pitch. While playing more as a winger throughout his career, in his appearances with the Eddies, he has mostly been used as a defender.

“I’m a winger by trade, but it isn’t that big of an adjustment,” Smith explained.  “I’ve always played in front of the fullbacks so I know the position – not inside out like I know how to play wing – but it’s not like I’m moving to the center of defense.”

The 28-year-old has been aided in his adjustment to the position, and the NASL, by midfielder Lance Laing. With both players sharing Jamaican heritage, they formed a quick bond, and have spent some time playing together on the left side.

Now, with Laing on international duty with Jamaica for the Gold Cup, Smith could potentially move further forward up the pitch or stay in a defensive role when called upon.

In any role, speed has been a big part of his game, bombing forward as an overlapping defender or using it to catch attackers that are trying to get in behind, or stretching defenses himself if he is used as a winger. Calling it a “gift and a curse,” Smith is hoping to combine his pace with more tactical awareness in his new position.

“It’s always good to be quick and make up a couple of yards,” he said. “I don’t want to rely on it too much.”

“Being tactically sound, soccer intelligent at all times, and then using my speed on top of that will be more advantageous.”

With three appearances over the course of the 10-game Spring Season, and an adjustment period well underway, the defender will look to push on to further stamp his impact on the Eddies. And anytime he steps on the pitch, a full effort from the former U.S. youth international is to be expected.

“A lot of people take it for granted. It’s the game I love, and nothing is guaranteed,” he said. “I want to make sure I make a stamp on every game. The team comes first, and I’m looking to use my attributes to help the team win.”