Meet the U.S. Women's World Cup team: Defender Julie Johnston

Meet Julie Johnston; Defender for the U.S. Women's World Cup team

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 26, 2015

Julie Johnston

Defender | No. 19

Height: 5'7"
Age: 23
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
Club: Chicago Red Stars
Twitter:@_JulieJohnston_
Goals: 3
Caps: 12

One of four Chicago Red Stars players on the squad, Johnston showed flashes of potential at the international level in captaining the U.S. to an Under-20 World Cup title in 2008. She won the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player, anchoring the American back line, and she is in line to start in Canada, winning over Jill Ellis while ably deputizing for injured captain Christie Rampone at the Algarve Cup.

The least experienced field player on the team, Johnston combines an ability to distribute with organization skills in the back, and she can also play in defensive midfield if necessary. Along with Morgan Brian, Johnston could be the team's face of the future.