Tornaghi impressing coaches
The Chicago Fire has found its third-string goalkeeper.
Fire coach Frank Klopas confirmed Thursday that Paolo Tornaghi has earned the job behind starter Sean Johnson and veteran Jay Nolly.
Tornaghi, an Italian who will occupy an international spot on the roster, earned the shutout with 6 saves in the Fire’s 1-0 victory against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday in the Carolina Challenge Cup.
“I thought he had a good performance yesterday,” Klopas said via teleconference from Charleston, S.C. “Not only him but the overall team had a good performance. He’s a young goalkeeper and has a lot of experience and comes from a very good system at Inter (Milan), and at this point I can tell you he’s a guy we want to sign to our roster and keep with our club.”
Klopas added that Tornaghi is very mature for his age, 23, and comes with a lot of upside because of a wealth if experience in the Inter and Italian youth systems. That upside could be put to the test this season. Johnson is expected to miss significant playing time when he joins the U.S. U-23 national team for Olympic qualifying, starting March 22, and later, hopefully, the London Olympics.
The Fire sees Tornaghi, who has been on trial during the preseason, as someone who has the ability to challenge Nolly for the No. 2 spot and possibly even challenge Johnson, who could attract interest from European teams this summer.
Johnson, 22, is out of contract after the 2012 MLS season.
“I feel pretty good about the keepers we have,” Klopas said.
Looking for depth:The minor leg injuries to center backs Cory Gibbs and rookie Austin Berry highlight the Fire#146;s desire to add another player to the position.One player on the Fire#146;s radar is Arne Friedrich, who has 82 caps for Germany#146;s national team and played in two World Cups. The 32-year-old Bundesliga veteran is out of contract, in part because of back issues.#147;Yes, that#146;s someone that we are looking into, that we do have an interest in,#148; Klopas said. #147;At this point that#146;s all I can say, but we are going to be bringing in another central defender.#148;Rookie Hunter Jumper started alongside second-year player Jalil Anibaba on Wednesday against Columbus instead of his usual left back spot.Hobbled:Third-year defender Steven Kinney still has not participated in preseason training, and he#146;s not expected anytime soon.Kinney suffered an Achilles#146; tendon injury in the last game of the 2010 season and missed all of 2011. His playing career could be in jeopardy.#147;It#146;s been unfortunate because the kid has been trying to come back,#148; Klopas said. #147;It#146;s been a very long time and a difficult one. I know he#146;s been very frustrated by the whole thing.#148;Youth club news:The Chicago Fire Juniors soccer club has merged with the Chicago Sockers to create a new regional club, the two local youth clubs announced Wednesday.Chicago Fire Juniors, based in the Naperville/Wheaton area, and Sockers FC Chicago, based in the Northwest Suburbs, will operate under the Sockers name.Ÿ Follow Orrin#146;s soccer reports via Twitter @orrinsoccer.