On this week’s edition of We Are TFC II, we sit down with forward Malik Johnson.
What has been your favourite moment in your soccer career thus far?
Johnson: Scoring my first professional goal against FC Montreal.
What about making your first team debut in the 2016 Canadian Championship?
Johnson: Oh yeah, that was an unreal experience. I had goose bumps running through my whole body. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get any minutes that day but I did. I was the second substitute. Getting to play against [Ignacio] Piatti and [Didier] Drogba it was like a dream. I was truly blessed and I’m hungry for another opportunity to show what I’ve got.
At what moment did you know you could go pro?
Johnson: When I first joined the Academy in 2013.
How have you found the adjustment from the Academy to the pros?
Johnson: A bit difficult because the standards and competition is a lot tougher.
How did the Academy help in your development as a professional?
Johnson: It helped me a lot in all aspects of the game. It was a very important part of my career development.
You spent some time with TFC III at the Viareggio tournament, what was that like?
Johnson: It was a great experience. Playing against some of the top players in the world at our age. It’s always nice to go overseas and test your skills against the best and see what you can learn from them and match your skills against them.
You have represented Canada before, what was that like?
Johnson: It's always a great honour to represent my country. It’s a blessing and when you go there you must give it your all. Nothing is guaranteed so you must give it your all.
Do you have a coach/mentor that has impacted your soccer career?
Johnson: My father has had the greatest impact on my career to this date because he has been supporting me and helping me from the first time a touched a soccer ball.
A player you like to model your game after?
Johnson: Eden Hazard because I like how he uses his speed and his technique when dribbling and his shooting is excellent.
Taking a quick look at your phone, which photo in it means the most to you?
Johnson: A picture of my family because they mean the world to me.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Johnson: Playing video games with my friends and I also enjoying playing basketball.
Do you have a go to video game?
Johnson: I love all the sports games. Obviously, I play FIFA, but I also enjoy 2K [NBA] and Madden [NFL]. I also like playing Call of Duty.
What’s your position on the court?
Johnson: Point Guard
Raptors Fan?
Johnson: Yeah, I support them. Not a big fan though.
Who is your team then?
Johnson: I’m a Knicks fan, well a Carmelo Anthony fan, so I support the Knicks.
Do you have a favourite movie?
Johnson: Shawshank Redemption
Music Artist?
Johnson: Chris Brown
If you were not playing soccer, what would you be doing?
Johnson: I’d like to be a football player. I’ve never played officially but in middle school, we used to play at recess.
Your nickname around the room is “Meeks”, is there a story behind that?
Johnson: No not really, just one of my old friends called me Meeks one time and it just started catching on so everyone calls me that now.
