Alistair Johnston

Johnston was born in Vancouver to a Canadian father and Northern Irish mother from Newtownards. His family moved to Montreal when he was four, where he began playing soccer with Lakeshore SC. The family again moved to Aurora, Ontario when he was seven.[2] He made his debut in the Canadian youth program at an under-18 camp in 2015, when he was 16.[3] He played youth soccer with ANB Futbol, and earned a tryout with French club Troyes AC while there.[4][5] In 2015, he joined Vaughan SC, helping them win the 2015 U-18/U-19 Disney Soccer Showcase as well as the 2015 OYSL U-18 League title.[6]

Johnston attended St. John's University for two years, before moving to Wake Forest University in 2018 in search of a bigger challenge both in soccer and academically. He switched positions from central midfield to right back upon joining Wake Forest.[7]

While at college, Johnston also played with League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri from 2015 to 2019.

Johnston played in the 2019 Canadian Championship for Vaughan Azzuri and was sent off in the second leg of the away goals defeat to the HFX Wanderers.

On January 9, 2020, Johnston was selected 11th overall by Nashville SC in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.[8] He officially signed with the club on February 25, 2020.[9] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included Nashville withdrawing from the MLS is Back Tournament due to an outbreak amongst the team,[10] his debut was delayed until August 12 against FC Dallas, coming on as a substitute.[3] He made his first start four days later, also against Dallas.[11] He helped the club reach the MLS Playoffs in their debut season.[12]

He accepted an invite for the Canadian senior national team camp for January 2021.[13]