Fire goalkeeper's season headed in the right direction

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson sat on a golf cart Thursday morning outside the team's practice field icing a jammed finger.

No big deal, he said.

After the way he's come back from a disappointing start to this season to earn a call-up again to the U.S. national team, Johnson isn't going to let a minor injury like that keep him down.

"It was difficult," Fire goalkeepers coach Aron Hyde said of Johnson's spring. "A lot of things weren't going his way. I wouldn't fault his work rate or his effort or his application."

That effort helped him regain the form he needed to earn another shot with the national team.

"I've been working hard this year to try to get myself back in the picture," Johnson added. "I'm glad that I have the opportunity again."

His confidence never wavered either, Johnson said.

"I've been working hard all year," Johnson said. "I'm just trying to get myself in a rhythm, and I think if you stick to your guns, and if you're really honest with yourself and you keep that mentality, you'll be better off for it."

Injuries forced him to the bench for two games at the start of the season, throwing him off kilter when he did play. Coach Frank Yallop and Hyde opted to sit Johnson for five games in May and June, giving Johnson a break by turning to veteran Jon Busch.

"The break did him good," said Hyde, a graduate of Judson College in Elgin. "It just gave him a chance to recharge and take a step back versus keep going in there. If he had some bad moments this season, it could have potentially got worse."

The past several games especially it's gotten much better. He's earned praise for some outstanding saves to keep the Fire in games that might otherwise have gotten out of hand.

Johnson will be one of three goalkeepers on the roster for Tuesday's U.S. friendly against Brazil. He won't miss a game with the Fire.

Not that Hyde is willing to give his prized pupil a pass just yet.

"We're still searching for more complete games, for me," said Hyde, who also has worked with the national team. "I think that would be the one challenge."

It used to be Johnson would challenge his position coach, finding it difficult to accept some criticism, Hyde said. Now, in his sixth season since being drafted out of Central Florida, Johnson accepts Hyde's suggestions and works to incorporate them into his game.

"He's definitely matured a lot," Hyde said. "He's not fighting me like early on. He's a lot more relaxed now."

With the second-longest time of consecutive service on the Fire, behind midfielder Patrick Nyarko, Johnson is trying to take on more of a leadership role.

"It's an important role being a veteran player, if you will, to be a leader and get everybody going and on the same page," Johnson said.

Keeping the national team on his resume can only help.