Andrew Johnson '22 Recruiting Profile

Playing on the Philadelphia Union Academy from my U12 through my U15 seasons was one of the most enjoyable and beneficial experiences of my life. For my sophomore year of high school, however, I had to make the difficult choice of either staying at my highly academic college prep high school where I attended since Pre-K or transferring to the Union’s high school in order to continue playing for them.  Making the tough decision to leave the Union in deference to my academics, however, helped cultivate my decision-making skills as I weighed the options available to me outside of being a professional soccer player.  With the big switch, I was able to play high school soccer for the first time.  I was fortunate enough to be a starter, defensive leader and vital part of my high school team that placed second in both our league and state championship.

The high school experience is very different from the Academy. At the Academy, the goal was individual player development.  Playing for my high school has helped me grow in many ways.  I am building authentic relationships with team members, many of whom have similar academic interests.  I am adapting to playing with and against older and younger players with varied skill levels. It is also a privilege to be an ambassador for my school.  The experiences in both of these environments have molded me into somebody who can be both a competitor, as well as a brother and leader to my fellow teammates.  Playing with FC Delco has also been a tremendous experience as I have taken more of a leadership role. I was given the role as captain of the team and I really enjoy being the person that my coach and other players look to in tough situations. I have also learned a lot when given the opportunity to play up with the U-19's. The pace of play is faster, forcing me to make quicker decisions, in turn, developing me into a better player.

I am looking for a college that will provide me, academically and athletically, with something after soccer. I believe that I have the competitive edge to compete for a college team, as well as the leadership skills to make an impact on my teammates.