Sean Johnson (soccer)

Johnson grew up in Lilburn, Georgia, where he attended Brookwood High School.^[4] For a brief period he attended school in California where he played for his high school in Los Angeles County. He would graduate from there in 2005.

Johnson moved to Florida to play college soccer at the University of Central Florida,^[5] where he earned Member of the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and was named Team MVP in 2008. He left college early to enter the 2010 MLS SuperDraft as a Generation Adidas player.

During his college years Johnson also played one season with Atlanta Blackhawks in the USL Premier Development League.^[6]

Sean Johnson was drafted in the fourth round (51st overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire.^[7] He was the last Generation Adidas player selected in that draft. He made his MLS debut on August 1, 2010, during a 3–2 victory over Los Angeles Galaxy after earning the starting spot over Andrew Dykstra. In his rookie season, he earned back to back "Save of the Week" honors. In 2013, he was named the Chicago Fire's Defender of the Year. He had an 11–9–7 record with the Fire, including with 6 clean sheets.

On December 11, 2016, Atlanta United acquired Johnson from the Chicago Fire for general allocation money. Later that day New York City FC acquired Johnson from Atlanta United in exchange for general allocation money and target allocation money.^[8] He made 206 total appearances for NYCFC and won the 2021 MLS Cup with the club as their starting goalkeeper.

On January 27, 2023, Johnson signed a two-year contract with Toronto FC.^[9] Following the 2025 season, Johnson became a free agent. On December 23, 2025, Johnson signed a contract with D.C. United through June 2027.^[10]

Johnson holds United States and Jamaican citizenships.^[11] He had brief tryouts with the Jamaican under-17 team in 2005 and under-20 team in 2008.

Johnson was selected to the United States men's national under-20 team in 2009. He appeared in one match in the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and later took part in three friendly matches. He also participated in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup as an unused substitute.^[12]

Johnson was a member of the under-23 national team that participated in the 2012 Olympic Games qualifying tournament. After an injury to Bill Hamid, Johnson entered the game on the 39th minute of the last group match against El Salvador.^[13]

Johnson earned his first senior cap for the United States national team entering as a halftime substitute in a friendly match against Chile on January 22, 2011.^[14]

Johnson was named one of three goalkeepers assigned to the United States's 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster by coach Jurgen Klinsmann. He served as second choice keeper to Nick Rimando during a pre-tournament friendly against Guatemala and for the duration of the tournament. Johnson earned his first senior national team start on July 17, 2013, in the final match of the group stage, recording a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory against rival Costa Rica. During that game he made a key save in the 80th minute which led to the US's winning goal. The start officially cap-tied the dual-national Johnson to the United States.^[11]

On November 9, 2022, Johnson was named to the United States's roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.^[15] He did not play during the tournament, serving as a backup to Matt Turner.

Johnson won the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League despite not playing during the tournament.^[16]

His parents, Everet and Joy Johnson, are of Jamaican and African-American descent respectively.