CHICAGO, Ill. (May 16, 2013) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Thursday that goalkeeper Sean Johnson has been selected by U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming international friendly against Belgium at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2/UniMas).
The United States is currently preparing for a five-game stretch in May and June that includes three FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the Centennial Celebration Match against Germany. A total of 29 players will participate, including four MLS goalkeepers that will rotate through camp.
“We have some excellent backup keepers starting with Nick Rimando, who’s playing an outstanding season for Real Salt Lake and has done great with us every time he’s come into our program,” said Klinsmann. “We’re also excited about the goalkeepers who come after him: Bill Hamid, Sean Johnson and Tally Hall. It’s exciting that we can rotate them a bit in these upcoming couple of weeks because we don’t want the MLS goalies to miss too many of their games.”
A Lilburn, Ga. product, Johnson made his international debut Jan. 22, 2011 against Chile at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Johnson earned his first start for the U.S. Men’s National Team and earned the shutout in a 0-0 draw with Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas Jan. 29. The 23-year-old ‘keeper has been capped three times.
Now in his fourth year as a professional, Johnson has started eight of the Fire’s nine matches this season and earned his 17th career shutout in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew April 20. Johnson missed the Fire’s March 24 match against Chivas USA while with the national team.
In 2012, Johnson appeared in a career-high 31 regular season matches for the Men in Red and recorded five shutouts en route to a 1.24 goals against average that was the lowest in his professional career. Johnson made 108 saves in 2012, including a career-high ten saves against the San Jose Earthquakes July 28.
Johnson will miss the Fire’s opening match in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on Tuesday, May 28 while on international duty.
