IT’S been almost four years since striker Ryan Johnson last wore a Jamaican shirt — as a football player, that is.

But the San Jose Earthquakes frontman recalls the occasion as if it happened only “yesterday”.

Johnson, who was raised in the Boston area of Massachusetts to Jamaican parents, made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in a friendly international against the USA in Cary, North Carolina, on April 11, 2006.

The score was 1-1. Jamaica had taken the lead in the fourth minute and appeared set to be on their way for their first win over the USA at the senior level, but Ben Olsen popped up in the 25th to cancel Teofore Bennett’s strike.

Johnson started the match as a strike partner for Bennett, and to this day still expresses surprise he was given the nod over more seasoned players by then coach Wendell Downswell.

“I was very surprised that I got a start in that match, playing alongside Teofore Bennett and Jermaine Hue… it was a very memorable experience and I still remember that game like it was yesterday,” said the 25-year-old.

Still, Johnson is pursuing more pleasant memories as a Jamaican international, but first he must earn a place in the line-up against Canada in a friendly this evening at the National Stadium.

“Hopefully in this match against Canada I will have the same kind of memories considering that I’m given a chance to play by Coach (Theodore) Whitmore,” he said with a sparkle in his eyes.

But Johnson, who has had a stint playing in Sweden, is not your typical rookie. The passion with which he talks about playing for Jamaica, though he has had only one match, hints to a seasoned campaigner.

“I’m just excited and proud to represent my country, and that’s very important to me. I just want to go there and do my best and hopefully get a win for the Reggae Boyz by scoring a goal, make an assist, or even a tackle… I am just ready to do whatever it will take to win,” he stated.

The game, which kicks off at 6:00 pm, marks significantly for the Boyz the launch of their Brazil 2014 campaign, and by all indications, Johnson wants to be a part of that journey — all the way.

“This new World Cup campaign that they’re launching, hopefully we can start on a good foot and then use that momentum to keep moving forward… I was very disappointed that we did not make it to South Africa.

“I have always thought we can beat any of the other teams in CONCACAF as long as we are together and are focused,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Johnson’s recall to the national set-up was clearly due in significant part to a wonderful season for the Earthquakes in the US MLS, where he led the scoring for the California-based franchise with 11 goals.

“It has been going very well lately as I was the top scorer for my team last season and I’m happy to be making steps forward so I can continue to perform for my club and country,” he said.

But like most ambitious football players working outside the world’s glamour leagues, Johnson’s desire burns for another stint in Europe.

“It’s always nice to go overseas, but it is very difficult to get over there as there are a lot of technical issues that you have to deal with.

“That is another dream of mine as I have played in Sweden before, so I do have some experience overseas. I would love to be in Europe, but right now I am just focusing on my current situation, and that’s my team in San Jose,” said the six-foot-one-inch player.

Johnson believes while the quality of play in Europe is of a high standard, professional football in the USA is on the up and he has watched the quality improve in his four years in the league.

“It’s definitely improving as the rosters are getting smaller and there is competition for contracts. I have been playing in the league for four years now and it has become more professional and it is now a very hard league to break into,” he explained.