BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Since joining the Men in Red last spring, Fire deputy goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi has come up big when called upon.
Whether it was starting in front of 60,000 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal last March or standing tall in a 3-2 win over San Jose back in July, when asked to do a job, the 25-year-old Italian has been a reliable backup when U.S. international Sean Johnson is away with the Men’s National Team.
Earlier this season, the club began the process of sponsoring Tornaghi for a green card and his performances and dedication to the Fire were repaid this week when he officially received it.
The news makes the Inter Milan youth product a permanent U.S. resident but more importantly in team circles, frees up an international roster spot in the process.
“I was very happy to hear the news,” Tornaghi told Chicago-Fire.com. “When I decided to come to MLS, it was because I had a plan to stay more than a couple years. This is a process that can help you to stay here longer, get involved in MLS and I’m happy to now be a resident of the U.S.”
The green card seems to signal that the club views the Italian as a longer term option between the sticks with Johnson speaking in the past about a desire to one day play in Europe.
For Tornaghi, receiving domestic status is part of his goal of being the club’s number one ‘keeper in the future.
“Of course it’s my wish. I’m here because I want to be one of the starting players for the Fire. My first two years in Chicago have already been good and I hope the future will bring some more positive stuff for me here in this club.”
