Johnston, the youngest team member on the defensive line, has already put in two incredible shifts at center back in this year’s World Cup. Even more, Johnston seems to have quickly understood and fit into the #USWNT’s defensive philosophy.
“We just want to be on the same page at the end of the day,” said Johnston, who was ussoccer.com’s Woman of the Match in the shutout against Sweden. “We don't want any goals in our net. Whatever we can do or whatever is asked of us to do from either the coaches or each other, we are willing to do.”
Despite her youth, Johnston knows exactly the kind of standard she has to live up to. Playing in the same position on the big stage as some past U.S. WNT defensive greats might be daunting to some, but Johnston takes it in stride.
"I just want to win and do whatever I can for this team,” Johnston explains. “It's just my job. That's what's asked of me to do and that's what's expected. It's the standard that I'm going to set for myself."
It’s that attitude, always putting the team first, that have made the #USWNT’s back line so solid. And the players know that mindset is ingrained in all their players. No matter who plays, they have complete trust in their teammates.
