Johann Smith was on the soccer fast track in 2006 making a name for himself with the U.S. Under-20 national team and working his way into the lineup at Bolton Wanderers with the Barclays but an ankle injury knocked him from the U.S. U-20 FIFA World Cup roster and he has struggled to find a permanent club side.  Nevertheless, the Connecticut native is back in Europe and spoke to Soccer 365’s about his past and future.

by Andrew Rogers

Two years ago this week Johann Smith received the news that he would not be on the plane to Canada for the 2007 Under-20 FIFA World Cup. Laid low by an ankle ligament injury Smith’s soccer ambitions were temporarily stalled after making his Barclays Premier League debut against Manchester United that season.

Talking to Smith in Croatia, the forward is in great form but admits he was frustrated by the situation, he said:

“I was looking forward to going to a World Cup, it’s every players dream to play on the biggest stages. So to miss out on Canada was a set back, I was confident I could make an impact, there was a buzz in squad, and you felt something good could happen.”

What did happen for Smith was he got injured on the eve of the tournament and had to head back to Bolton, the seriousness of the injury was such that he missed pre season training and struggled to kick on in 2007/08.

“I got my injury in the last warm up game before the tournament, and I’ll admit I was devastated and shed quite a few tears, it was really heart breaking, but I was heartened when Sammy Lee rang to tell me I was still in his 1st team plans.”

The affects of missing pre season training has on players is nothing new in this column, as the likes of Juan Pablo Angel have suggested and Michael Owen has admitted in the wider media, for the emerging youngster the consequences were damaging.

Smith admits he didn’t have the experience to deal with his injury properly: “After the highs of the previous season and missed opportunity with the World Cup, I was desperate to get back on the field and progress. I should have been more thorough in my rehab, but was in too big a rush to return to action.”

Smith lost some confidence and form, but the biggest problem, which he chose to overlook in our conversation, was the tempest brewing in the Bolton dressing room. Allardyce’s departure left a huge power vacuum that Sammy Lee could not fill. Having attracted the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Jay-Jay Okocha, and flirted with the Champions League, they were now in a relegation dog fight.

Lee fell out with Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo and his assistant coach Gary Speed, behind the scenes five of the back room staff had left within the next six months. Suddenly the structure that was developing Smith was no longer there, and Lee and then Gary Megson were simply fighting to keep the club alive, not groom youngsters.

Smith said he had recovered but felt he was not in a position to justify himself at Darlington and Stockport when he went out on loan. “I thought both club’s were great, there was a good spirit in the dressing room and I learnt from the coaches, but I was too eager to impress when I should have continued my rehabilitation.”

Having seen Smith perform with Carlisle and Darlington, his talent was obvious but he needed the ball played in front of him so he could take players on and use his pace. It was also clear that having played with Premiership level players, and been a regular reserve player he needed to adjust to the lower leagues and coming off the bench.

Gary Megson cut Smith in the off season but he understands how these things happen, he added: “He’s done a great job for Bolton, but he didn’t have a chance to look at me, he was fighting for the club’s survival and needed experienced pro’s and his own players, the circumstances at the club had completely transformed in a short period of time.”

Smith then turned down offers in Europe to join the MLS. His time at Toronto proved to be frustrating but Smith believes MLS has a lot going for it, and has really helped his game, he said:

“They have a good set up, and I was able to regain my fitness which I’m very grateful for, the standard is good and the sport has come along way. I needed first team football it’s very frustrating sitting on the bench, I’m grateful for the club’s understanding in the situation, and now I have a great chance to prove myself in Europe again.

Smith is currently training with HNK Rijeka (placed third in Croatian’s Premier League last season), and feels more at ease with his football, my formative years in football were in Europe, and MLS is developing its own identity and culture, I learnt so much there, but needed to move on, I like to style of things here and hopefully they will work out.”

“I’m training with HNK Rijeka at the moment, and we will have to see what happen here, I don’t what to talks about goals or targets. Right now I’m just enjoying football in an environment that is conducive to me progressing and moving forward. I developed my game in a European soccer environment and technically things could not be any better for me. Like I said I don’t want to go too much into it, my coach from Connecticut Tom D’Agostino created the link with the club, and I’m really enjoying it here.”

Smith still harbours international ambitions and is impressed with former U-20 MNT team mates Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley feats in South Africa. “They have kicked on from Canada, he said.” “They have taken the same attitude that the U-20 squad showed in Canada and taken it to the senior level.”
 
“I saw the MNT’s performances in South Africa, and like every other U.S supporter I was on the edge of my seat, it was simply amazing. It just shows how far American soccer has come. Jozy (Altidore) and Michael (Bradley) really made their mark, and its good to see former teammates from the U-20’s doing so well.”

“It’s a huge incentive for me to fight my way back into the side, but I have to take one step at a time. After pulling out of the U-20 World Cup in Canada, it’s fair to say I was devastated. I got a call up to the U-23 squad but was in know position to justify myself with my injury problems.”

“Right now the MNT is not my top priority, but I would love to get back in contention and play for my country again.”

Andrew Rogers can be reached at andrewrogers@optonline.net