Paunovic not shy about using young Chicago Fire players

First-year Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic talked all preseason about being willing to play the youngest players on his roster. On Sunday he put his lineup card where his mouth is.

Paunovic wasted little time getting homegrown midfielder Joey Calistri and first-round draft picks Brandon Vincent and Jonathan Campbell into their first real professional game. Vincent started at left back and went the full 90 minutes. Calistri, Campbell, both 22, and 20-year-old Brazilian Rodrigo Ramos were second-half substitutes.

"In the preseason we saw that we can count on those guys and they earn it, so that's very important for us," Paunovic said after training Tuesday. "The day they have to step into the game, they were ready. I think they were. I think especially Campbell did a great second half."

Campbell and Ramos, both defenders, entered the game despite the Fire's 2-goal deficit. The only two forwards listed on the roster - Gilberto and Kennedy Igboananike - started the game.

Gilberto exited the 4-3 defeat at halftime due to a calf strain suffered in the first minute that kept him out of training Tuesday and might keep him out of Friday's game at Orlando City SC (6 p.m., UniMas).

"Our game plan was that we could switch formations, systems, depending on what is going on on the field," Paunovic said. "When you have guys who can score goals on the field and experienced guys, we believe you have to take advantage of that. Sometimes we have to speculate with that also.

"But for this particular game I think it was the right thing to do and you could see how many chances we had. Still we have to improve our finish."

Feeling at home:

Having grown up in Deerfield and played college soccer at Northwestern, Joey Calistri has been a Fire fan for a few years.

"Quite a few," he said with a laugh. "Pretty much my whole life."

Naturally, his Toyota Park debut in front of almost 18,000 included many who've known him for a while.

"And they were psyched," Calistri said. "Neighbors, family, friends, everybody, so it was really cool."

Clearly, Calistri has made a positive impression on the coaches, and they rewarded him with playing time Sunday.

"It's going great. It's been a lot of fun so far. Great coaching staff, a lot of energy. I've been learning a lot. It's really cool," he said.

Calistri played forward in college but midfield against New York City FC in the opener. He even played some right back in the preseason.

Basically, he said, he will play wherever Paunovic wants him to play. Yes, even goalkeeper.

"I wouldn't recommend it, but if he wants it," Calistri said.

Top gun:

Newly signed Dutch midfielder John Goossens acquired his visa and was expected back at training Wednesday. Paunovic held out hope Goossens would be fit to play Friday night despite missing training time and the trans-Atlantic flight.

"It's great news for us," Paunovic said. "I think he can be ready."

Contact sport:

New right back Michael Harrington looked a little bruised and battered but said he would be ready to play Friday after Sunday's collision with central defender Joao Meira.

Harrington wore black protective headgear at training Tuesday, the kind often worn by players who have suffered concussions.

"Just some stitches," he said. "No concussion or anything like that. Good to be back out on the training field today."

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