ATLANTA—Deep down, Fabian Johnson admits he’d like a chance to master one position. 

But Johnson is also a realist and knows that’s likely not going to happen any time soon. So instead of locking down the nuances of one specific position, he’s chosen to embrace the opportunities his versatility has given him. 

Blessed with great pace and technical ability, Johnson is equally comfortable on either flank and is as adept defending as he is going forward. It’s a great luxury for his coaches, both U.S. boss Jurgen Klinsmann as well as at his Bundesliga team, Borussia Mochengladbach.

As such, he’s played both left and right back and left and right midfield and is expected to start at left back for the U.S. against Jamaica in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup (6 pm ET; Fox Sports 1, UniMas).

“It’s definitely a good thing that he could play both sides, left in the right even play in the midfield,” said Klinsmann. “We are trying to make the best out of (Johnson’s versatility) in terms of what we need as national team coaches. When we need him on the right, we play him on the right. When we need him on the left, we play him on the left.”

A son of a German mother and American father who was born and raised in Germany, Johnson has a quiet intensity on and off the field. Off it, he is direct but soft-spoken. On it, he is consistently strong while occasionally flashing some jaw-dropping skill such as his run into the box in the Gold Cup opener to set-up a chance for DeAndre Yedlin.

Despite his ability to go forward, Johnson makes clear where his mentality lies as a defender: “My first priority of my position is to keep a clean sheet as long as possible, and then to create chances.”

His combination of defensive anticipation and offensive skill is why coaches at both club and country want him on the field, regardless of where he’s playing. He's accepted that his versatility is not something that’s likely to change.

“Of course, it’s easier for everybody if you just have one position, you can focus on your opponent. You can train your automatism, your runs, your plays,” Johnson said. “So of course it’s easier but I also think I got used to playing different positions, not just for the U.S. but also my club team.”

Johnson has been moved around so much, he isn’t even sure what his best position is. Instead, he’s put his trust in his bosses to let them decide how he can best help his team.

“It’s hard to tell,” he said. “It’s easier for coach to see the players from outside, how they’re playing. They can tell you better where you’re best for the team so it’s hard for me to say where I’d be best.

When DaMarcus Beasley retired from international play last fall, it created an opening for the U.S. at left back. Klinsmann experimented with the likes of Brek Shea and Greg Garza before settling on Johnson as his first choice for the Gold Cup and the friendlies that led up to it.

In doing so, Klinsmann acknowledged he was taking Johnson away from a position where he had thrived for the U.S.

"I think in the World Cup in Brazil he was the best right back in Brazil, of all teams. And we’re happy about that,” Klinsmann said. “His situation at Borussia Mochengladback is different, they play him as left midfield based on that they need in their environment in their team.”

With Beasley out of international retirement for the knockout stage of the Gold Cup, he's available at left back, which means Johnson could shift to right back or the midfield if Klinsmann opts to get Beasley's experience on the field.

At the World Cup, Johnson often played behind Alejandro Bedoya, who started in Brazil at right mid. After missing the first two games of this tournament, Bedoya has started the past two games, both on the left, meaning the two players are again able to combine, albeit on the other side of the field and Johnson doesn’t think any of the players are fazed by being moved around.

 “We played in the World Cup together on the right side, so I think we know each other pretty well. He knows how I’m playing, I know how he’s playing. I think it’s a pretty good match up,” Johnson said. “I think we know each other, but we’ve played in different formations, we’re pros enough that we all can adjust to those situations.”

Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.