Written by: Michael Sack
When Riley Johnson visited a disability expo in 2004, he went by a demonstration of Power Soccer, and never looked back. When trying Power Soccer at the expo, he was amazed of its enjoyment because he had never heard of the sport before.
Johnson’s time of playing Power Soccer has, as he puts it, “had many high and lows.” His team has went through years where they didn’t win any game and other years where his club won every game. Johnson has recently played for the Minnesota Magic in the upper division of the USPSA.
Asked what obstacles that had to encounter to make Team USA, Johnson replied: “The barriers that were hardest to overcome were those that were internal. I had to get over feelings of self-doubt and learn to play a new role.” Johnson suggested that the easiest curve in the road to overcome was the traveling portion since his family is supportive. In the end, Johnson “wanted to be on this team more than anything” so he practices hard and works to get better to become is more rounded player.
Johnson, who lives in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area, is currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota studying mechanical engineering, and he has “a desire to design assistive technologies.” When Johnson is not in school or practicing Power Soccer, he really enjoys watching live comedy shows and reading history books.
Johnson wants to meet people from around the World in Florida next year. He hopes that Team USA “can represent the United States effectively and to the best of our ability.”
Johnson wishes that people with disabilities try Power Soccer out and join a team if they want too. In the meantime, he has “come to realize that individual accomplishments and awards mean nothing in comparison to the accomplishments that require teamwork, such as winning championships.”
