Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson frustrated with not playing

Sean Johnson is in an awkward situation.

The Chicago Fire's starting goalkeeper since the middle of his rookie season in 2010, Johnson returned from U.S. national team camp in February to find his job taken by Matt Lampson. Johnson, 26, hasn't played at all this season, and he wasn't on the bench for Saturday's match against D.C. United.

"It's frustrating," Johnson said after training Thursday. "I want to play. I want to be on the field. I've worked extremely hard this year and for my career. … It's a frustrating thing not to be a part of the 18 when I was healthy."

Johnson suffered a minor wrist injury in training in late March, but he said that hasn't been a concern the past few weeks. His fitness level is very good, considering he trained with field players when his injury wouldn't let him train with the goalkeepers.

"Been training full force for a couple of weeks now, so fitness is not an issue with me. Never has been," he said in his calm, matter-of-fact way.

Why Johnson isn't playing remains a mystery to him.

"I really haven't had much discussion about my situation, to be honest," he said. "That's also (coach Veljko Paunovic's) right as a coach, to have or not have those discussions. At the end of the day, he's the one in charge and he makes the decisions. Communication, speaking of transparency and communication, that's his decision whether or not he carries out those things as a coach. I respect his decisions, but ultimately as a player, I think at this point in my career I need to play.

"I've tried extremely hard to keep myself at a certain standard and do as much as possible to keep myself ready. ... I can control how I come in, how I work and how I carry myself on a day-to-day basis, so that's what I'll continue to do and continue to be a good professional."

Lampson, a trialist during the preseason, has played all seven games for the Fire (1-2-4, 7 points), which is tied for last place by points per game in the Eastern Conference. Lampson has allowed 8 goals, 4 of them in the season opener, as the club has emphasized defense at the expense of its attack.

Trading Johnson within MLS won't be easy because of his hefty salary, $250,000 for 2015, according to the MLS Players Union. The Fire probably would not get much in return even if it agreed to pick up most of Johnson's salary.

Johnson, the longest serving current Fire player, said he has not asked for a trade.

"Nelson and Pauno and these guys are making very important decisions on a day-to-day basis, and you'll have to address them with regard to these things," he said.

The new guy:

Senegalese midfielder Khaly Thiam trained with the Fire for the first time Thursday. He arrived Monday.

"It's a little bit hard to recover, but it's OK. I feel good and I'm so happy to be in this team," he said.

Just in time to be asked if his new teammates had given him a warm welcome, Thiam received a mid-interview shoulder rub from goalkeeper Matt Lampson.

"These are good guys. They've been welcoming," Thiam said with a smile.

"The group accepted him very well," coach Veljko Paunovic said. "They like him. They like how he plays and they like playing with him."

Coming off a long season in Hungary, Thiam said he feels ready to play. It will take time to adapt to his new team's and teammates' style of play, he and Paunovic said.

"If everything is fine with his transfer and with his visa, we can have him for the Vancouver game on the road (Wednesday)," Paunovic said with a smile of anticipation. "I know that that's your next question."

Injury report:

Forward Gilberto ran on the side during training and then left early to ice his left hamstring, which he said he tweaked. Paunovic said he hopes Gilberto can resume full training Friday, when the team has two sessions scheduled. He expects Gilberto to be fit for Wednesday's match. … Matt Polster also worked on the side while he recovers from a slight calf injury that kept him out of Saturday's match against D.C. United. He said the injury feels better every day. … David Accam also worked on the side as he recovers from a knee injury that has kept him out of the lineup since March.

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