Two things happened in conjunction with this: The coaches overseas were noticing the younger player’s ability and Daniel was taking a real liking to the soccer-rich environment he was in, His mother remembers him saying it was like he had “come home.” As Daniel recalls, it was love at first sight.

 

“All the people there are football fans. Everyone is football oriented. When I was little, that’s what I was all about,” he said. I just wanted to watch the (English) premier league. I didn’t have anybody at school to talk to about a match I played in or saw at the weekend. When I come to school now, that’s what everybody is talking about.” 

 

After being noticed on this trip, a trial the following spring, April 2008, was arranged. He did well enough to be invited back for another couple of sessions, including a trip to France with the West Ham U14s. By summer 2009 the West Ham youth coaches told the Johnsons they wanted him in the youth academy full time. The then 13-year old Daniel was able to make the move because his father’s company included a branch in the United Kingdom, qualifying him for a work visa. Daniel enrolled in boarding school and is now in his third year of school and playing with what is now the West Ham U16s. 

 

While the past 2 ½ years has featured some ups and downs, after all the whole process of the British youth system involves players regularly proving their worth and passing tests of various natures to determine their suitability as candidates for professional soccer, Daniel speaks very positively about his life in London.

 

He lives in a boarding house associated with his school. School lasts from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. After about 45 minutes for eating and preparing to train he is transported to the training ground for 1-2 hours of practice depending on the day of the week. Some days also involve time in the gym, and Thursday brings a whole day of on-field, technical, classroom and gym training.

 

Match days are Saturday and free time from soccer (as if) comes on Sundays and Mondays. Daniel’s team plays in a Southeast England league against Premiership teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Fulham (he recently played central midfield in a match against Dallas-area product Emerson Hyndman, who is with the Fulham youth setup).

 

Daniel admits it took some time to adjust to playing English soccer, but is very positive about his experience thus far.

 

“The most notable thing is the intensity, passion and quickness of the game,” he said. “All the kids want to be there and become a professional. That’s what they want to do. The club always tells us, ‘It’s not practice makes perfect, it’s practice makes permanent. The way you train is the way you’ll be in the match.’ So every kid takes the training sessions very seriously. They get the most out of you.”

 

“The quickness and intensity alone can be a great shock to some of the American kids who come over on trial. A lot of times I see that the game just passes them by.”

 

Daniel said the learning in this environment never stops.

 

“From a tactical standpoint, it took me a while to get better awareness of playing 1-2 touch and having my head on a swivel to know where everybody is on the pitch,” he said. “I’m still getting that awareness. The whole U14 season I was working on checking my shoulder when I received a pass. I kind of knew to do that before, and I’m still not the best at it, but I’m definitely more aware. 

 

“West Ham encourages a lot of technical ability,” he continued. “ Every Wednesday we have a 30-minute technical session in the warmup, working on agility with cones and all that. They always say they don’t want to discourage me from dribbling, but for me to do it in the right areas. In the middle of park, they want me to keep moving the ball and get the attack started, but in the final third, if I see an opportunity with the defenders, to try and create something. “

 

School in the UK brings another variety of challenges.

 

“I wouldn’t say I find it more difficult, just much different,” he said. “The style with which they teach and the manners are differernt. The teachers talk and teach here, but not as much. They write a lot of notes and you copy them down you study and learn more on you own. There is more emphasis on the exams and how you do on those determines if you move on (to higher grades and levels).

 

Daniel added that if he is signed as a scholar he would do his additional schooling with the club as his soccer training would then take priority in the schedule.

 

As far as settling in with English life, Daniel feels he has largely done it.

 

“There haven’t been any kids who single me out because I’m an American,” he said. “Obviously you get the odd joke, but I can give one back. The only place I really see where being an American affects me is if I play football for my school. Some kids will hear my accent and sometimes I get comments. You can tell they don’t like being beaten or shown up by an American in a sport that’s supposed to be their sport. 

 

Anne Johnson said she and her husband have tried to soften the transition and also take advantage of the cultural opportunities available to Daniel; visiting him during school breaks and taking in shows, museums and other cultural events. She added that the family is feeling positive about his opportunities to be signed, but are taking nothing for granted as coaches do not generally communicate with players’ families beyond the absolute essentials.

 

“Things look good, but we know it’s professional sports,” she said. “They want to make sure their players are mentally strong and able to handle things professional athletes have to deal with. It’s a lot of pressure for a 16-year old, but that’s the nature of the beast for the kids who love it so well they want to do this.”

 

While Steve Johnson’s work visa enables Daniel to be a youth player, the family and club will still have to sort out tight British work permit rules should the chance come to sign as a full professional, but for now they’ll leave that one to the attorneys.

 

For Daniel, perspective is a must, but he makes no secret of his goals.

 

“If it doesn’t work it will still have been a great experience,” he said. “I’ve learned so much, so coming back it will benefit my play, but the goal is definitely to stay.”