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All year long, we will be bringing you up close to members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies team.

In this feature of the 2012 Get to Know the Rowdies, we spotlight defender Thurstan Johnson, who is in his first season with Tampa Bay.

Johnson is a local product from St. Petersburg and played collegiately at Saint Leo. Johnson joined the team as a trialist this preseason and saw action in three matches during the 2012 Rowdies Rush Preseason Tour.

What are you looking forward to most with the Rowdies?
Learning from my teammates and coaches

Do you have any gameday superstitions or traditions?
Listen to music and stretch

What is your typical pre-match meal?
Pasta & Red Bull

What has been your most memorable soccer moment thus far?
Playing overseas in Europe

Growing up, what soccer team did you support?
Arsenal

What is your favorite thing about playing soccer?
Scoring goals

Who is your all-time favorite soccer player?
Thierry Henry

Who is your favorite athlete outside of soccer?
Kobe Bryant

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?
Football

What is your favorite sporting event to watch?
Superbowl

What is the best event (sports or other) you have seen live in person?
NFL Game

List your top three favorite movies.
1.) Hitch  2.) Inception  3.) Rocky

Who is your favorite actor/actress?
Will Smith

What is your favorite song?
Cast No Shadow (Oasis)

What is your favorite TV show?
King of Queens

What has been the most memorable moment of your life thus far and why?
Signing my first pro contract with the Rowdies. I reached my childhood dream.

When was the most disappointed you have been and why?
I had an injury that sidelined me for some time.

What is the toughest thing you have overcome in your life?
Not making my high school soccer team freshman year

What is your favorite meal?
Chicken Wings

Where is your favorite place in the world?
Soccer field

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Orlando, FL
Is there one destination that you’ve never been but have always wanted to visit?
Italy

What is the favorite place where you have lived?
St. Petersburg, FL

Do you have any siblings? How many?
Yes, two brothers & one sister

What is your weirdest “quirk?”
I am obsessed with Red Bull

What is your biggest fear?
Failing

What do you like doing in your free time?
Workout, hang out with friends & family, coach soccer

Who is you hero and why?
My mother, single mother of 4

If you had to pick three words to describe you, what would they be?
Outgoing/Dedicated/Caring

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Thierry Henry/ I would enjoy all the football stories and advice

What is something you want your fans to know that they may not know yet?
I played striker my whole life.

Are you married and do you have any children?
Nope

Is there a sentimental or defining moment in your life that you wouldn’t mind sharing with us?
Nope

Do you play soccer to honor anyone in your life?
My mother, she has sacrificed a lot for me.

Is there someone that you have met through soccer who you would consider an inspiration to you and why?
Malcolm Boyle – 1^st Team Coach @ Ayr united FC (Scotland) / Taught me about the game & life

Choose One:
Chicken, Steak, or Seafood: Steak
Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi
Gatorade or Powerade: Gatorade
Red Bull or Monster: Red Bull
Cats or Dogs: Dogs
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
XBOX or PlayStation: PlayStation
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Country, Rock, or Rap music: Techno
iPhone, Droid or Blackberry: Droid