After the conclusion of SuperLiga fans and media began to wonder if Carlos De Los Cobos would consider getting a look at Sean Johnson in the starting goalkeeper role. It seems De Los Cobos is pondering the move. Johnson has seen some action with the first team in training and the Fire coach was noncommittal when asked about it after practice.
From ESPNChicago's Charlie Corr....
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/460/fire-coach-considering-goalie-switch
Sam Stejskal also asked the question while noting that Manuel Salazar continues to train with the Fire while Justin Mapp's roster spot has not been filled.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/de-los-cobos-still-unclear-goalkeeping-situation
The Fire's next opponent, LA Galaxy were trounced in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champion's League first round by USL's Puerto Rico Islanders. The 4-1 loss at the Home Depot Center was particuarly embarrassing considering that Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle both played the full 90 minutes.
Filed under: 2010 Regular Season
Tags: Chicago Fire, Sean Johnson
Give him a shot, he looked well enough in the Super Liga, then DLC will know for sure if he needs to bring in the Salvadoran keeper (heh heh)
This guy was set for a trial but it looks like the try out was cancelled
http://www.kickoff.com/news/16907/siyabonga-nkosis-us-trip-in-doubt.php
When did the Fire become the "go to" team to get a career back on track?
Unrelated note.....
Don Garber is usually right pertaining to league decisisons but I think this makes little sense.
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/chief+Garber+wary+World+over+reach/3329537/story.html
He is insistent on a second team in New York. How about waiting until the first one can draw decent crowds consistently before adding a second?
I don't like that idea of trying to have a second team in New York. Yesterday, Don Garber chatted live with the fans and he mentioned about a possible expansion down the road in the likes of Miami, Atlanta, San Antonio, Detroit or San Diego.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2010-07-24-commissioner-don-garber-chat_N.htm
I say put Sean in. If the fire lose its not because of the goalie.
Give Johnson the start.
We better be looking at an attacking midfielder for our next DP.
Also, have we signed Ristic? When is he suppose to play?
Ristic has not been signed. He was placed on the SuperLiga roster in the event that the team did decide to sign him. They definitely liked him but they appear to be exploring other options before offering Ristic a deal.
The league is expanding too fast anyway. There isn't enough talent in the player pool to sustain a good competitive level. MLS had only 10 teams in 2004. Expanding this quickly only guarantees jobs for players who aren't very good.
They will just close down the unsuccesful markets as they have before (Miami and Tampa Bay) and have a dispersal draft. Most will not have their own stadium yet so...
I would prefer that they find markets and owners strong enough to support a club and not have to contract them down the road. Tampa never had an owner and were a drain on league resources and Miami's owner did not fit in with MLS's long-term vision. These days, Garber is only talking to people who have very deep pockets and will be on board for the long haul.
But I don't care how rich a guy is. That can't overcome the fact that there isn't enough talent to stock the rosters of 20+ teams and maintain a level of play that's worth watching.
They'll need to increase the salary cap in order to maintain the level of play. MLS won't expand past 20 teams until at least 2014. By then they will need to revisit the salary cap since the current CBA will be expiring.
Come on, quantity over quality, it's the American way! Let's get Walmart to sponsor a team!
Lol. That was certainly the NASL's motto.
Sean practiced with the first team today.
The Sounders signed the 24 year old Uruguyan midfielder
2 more days and we should know who the next Fire DP is!
Tampa Bay had a good product and they produce players like Ralston, Hejduk, Lassiter, Valderrama, Diaz-Arce, Keller and Ravelli. Other notable Mutiny alums like current coaches Frank Yallop, Martin Vazquez and Dominic Kinnear. They averaged around 11,106 and missed the playoffs twice in their brief six year existence. The problem was they could not find an owner that had interest in bidding the team. The Glazers did not want to pitch in the Tampa Bay franchise and winded up purchasing the Manchester United in 2003.
Luis writes about Castillo in the Trib
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-28/sports/ct-spt-0729-fire-castillo--20100728_1_nery-castillo-criticism-press-conference
It was nice to see Luis back on the soccer beat again. And to see a top-of-the-fold mention of the Fire's new signing. In color no less! Credit where credit is due.
Thank god we get to see Sean Johnson get an opportunity to start in place of "Butterfingers" Dykstra.