Quick Facts
Biography
Johann Smith (born April 25, 1987 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American soccer player who currently plays for FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League as a forward, winger, and left back.
Career
Youth
Smith grew up in Bloomfield, Connecticut and attended the Watkinson School, where he played varsity soccer for four years, garnering All-State honors during his junior and senior campaigns. In addition, Smith also enjoyed success on the school's track and field team, once running the 100 metres in 10.5 seconds. Smith also played club soccer for Oakwood Soccer Club, and it was while playing for Oakwood that he was discovered by scouts from Bolton Wanderers; impressed by what they saw, Smith was offered a three-year scholarship contract with Bolton's youth academy.
Professional
Smith was named as a Bolton substitute for games against Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic during the early part of the 2006-07 season. He made his first team debut for Bolton in their League Cup defeat at Charlton Athletic in October 2006, and made his Premier League debut against Manchester United on October 28, 2006, as an 85th-minute substitute for Kevin Davies.
Smith joined Carlisle United on loan in January 2007, making his debut against Doncaster Rovers as a 63rd-minute substitute, replacing Kevin Gall. He scored his first professional goal on April 29, 2007, against Swansea City.
Following his injury playing internationally for the United States, Smith missed all of Bolton's 2007 pre-season, including the Peace Cup in South Korea. When he regained his fitness, he was loaned out to League Two clubs Darlington and Stockport County.
In May 2008 he was one of a number of young players released by Bolton manager Gary Megson. Afterwards, he signed with Toronto FC.
Smith made his MLS debut on August 17, 2008, as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 loss to the New York Red Bulls. Midway through the 2009 MLS season, Smith expressed his desire to leave Toronto. After long talks with the Toronto FC GM, both parties decided leaving was in the best interest of Smith, especially with interest for him coming from a club in Croatia. He was released by Toronto FC on June 16, 2009.
In July 2009 he signed a two-year contract with HNK Rijeka of the Croatian Prva Liga. Smith made his debut the same month in Rijeka's match against Luxembourg side FC Differdange 03 in the Europa League qualifying round when he came off the bench.
After leaving Rijeka, Johann trained with Kalmar FF of the Swedish Allsvenskan for two weeks. On March 23, 2010, Kalmar FF and Smith agreed to a one-year contract. On May 25, Kalmar FF terminated their contract with Smith, stating that he did not live up to their expectations.
Smith was in talks with Rijnsburgse Boys of the Dutch Topklasse league in February 2011. However, a contract was not offered. Later in 2011, Smith continued to trial around Europe, most notably with German sides SV Wacker Burghausen, Kickers Offenbach and 1. FC Magdeburg.
Smith trialed with the New York Red Bulls in the summer of 2012, but was not offered a contract.
In September 2012, Smith signed a contract with Finnish club KuPS of the Veikkausliiga until the end of the season, ending Smith's two-year hiatus from professional soccer.
In 2014, Smith spent time with both Adelaide Raiders and Cumberland United in the NPL South Australia.
On March 17, 2015, Smith signed with Canadian club FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League.
International
Smith was named to the United States squad for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, but a pre-tournament injury forced his removal from the team. He has since played for the United States U-20 team, but he has not been called up to the senior squad.