Fire rewards Busch, Pause with contract extensions

Goalkeeper Jon Busch and midfielder Logan Pause have signed multi-year contract extensions with the Chicago Fire, team officials announced Thursday.

Busch, 32, was named the 2008 Panasonic MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and earned MLS Best XI honors. Pause is in his seventh season with the Chicago Fire and has appeared in 148 games, starting 127, through his MLS career.

"Both players are great professionals and not only are valuable assets on the field, but they both are important role models for younger players," said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas.

After joining the team in 2007, Busch stepped into a starting role for the Fire in 2008 season and made the most of his opportunity. Busch was the only Fire player to start and play 90 minutes in every regular and postseason 2008 match. With a goals-against average of 1.1 and 10 shutouts, Busch earned the honor of 2008 Panasonic MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, MLS Best XI, and 2008 Chicago Fire MVP.

Since arriving in Chicago in 2003, Pause has average 24 league games played each year with at least 1,350 minutes played per season. In 2008, Pause helped the Fire to its 10th playoff appearance with his 27 matches started.

After picking up four points through their first two games on the road, the Fire returns to Chicago for its home opener at 2 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park.