In this edition of Burning Questions we caught up with Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. In his third season with the Men in Red, Johnson posted career-high numbers. In 31 regular season games, Sean went 16-10-5, had five shutouts and recorded a career-low 1.24 goals against average. The Lilburn, Ga. native made 108 saves in 2012, including a career-high ten saves against the Earthquakes July 28.
Sean’s play caught the eye of U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who recently called the Fire ‘keeper in for a friendly against Russia on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 9:00 a.m. CT (ESPN2/ESPN3/Univision Deportes). Before heading east, Sean took the time to answer our burning questions about his prowess on the dance floor, his favorite Thanksgiving dish and which teammates he’d pick for a MLS basketball tournament.
Always on the Inside: There’s another elite athlete with the same name as you, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, who was a “Dancing With the Stars” champion. Are you a good dancer and how do you think you’d do on the show?
Sean Johnson: I’d be fantastic. My dance moves are nice. I’m pretty sure I’ve been compared to Chris Brown.
AOTI: What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food or tradition?
SJ: My mom makes a green bean casserole that is unbelievable.
AOTI: You lettered in basketball for three years at Brookwood High School. Can you still ball? Which of your current teammates would you choose if there is a MLS pickup basketball tournament?
SJ: Call me the Black Mamba. My starting five would be point guard, Corben [Bone]. Two guard, [Dan] Gargan. Three guard, we’ll go Jalil [Anibaba]. I’d play the fourth spot, and maybe Austin [Berry] could play the five. Cory [Gibbs] can be the sixth man off the bench and [Soccer Operations Coordinator] Alex Boler could be the coach.
AOTI: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
SJ: I’d be able to fly.
AOTI: You’re one of the best table tennis and FIFA players on the Fire roster. What’s one random thing youwant to work on so that you can best your teammates?
Jalil Anibaba: He’s No. 1 at everything.
SJ: I am THE best FIFA player on the team. In life my goal is to be No. 1 at everything I do.
AOTI: Main difference between Georgians and Chicagoans?
SJ: The pace of which they move. Chicago is so fast-paced that I feel like I’m being rushed by people in the city.
AOTI: Who plays you in the Sean Johnson movie?
SJ: Denzel Washington.
AOTI: What was the last movie you watched in theaters? And if you’re in a crowded theater, which armrests are yours?
SJ: The last movie I watched was “Argo.” And both armrests are mine.
