CHICAGO, Ill. (March 18, 2013) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that goalkeeper Sean Johnson has been selected by U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Costa Rica at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. on Friday, March 22 at 9:00 p.m. CT (ESPN/UniMas) and against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico on Tuesday, March 26 at 9:30 p.m. CT (ESPN/Univision).
The United States is one of the six CONCACAF nations competing in the final round of qualifying for a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Johnson was an unused substitute for the United States’ first match in the hexagonal, a 2-1 loss in Honduras Feb. 6.
A Lilburn, Ga. product, Johnson made his international debut Jan. 22, 2011 against Chile at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Johnson earned his first start for the U.S. Men’s National Team and earned the shutout in a 0-0 draw with Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas Jan. 29. The 23-year-old ‘keeper has been capped three times.
Now in his fourth year as a professional, Johnson started the first three matches of the season for the Fire and earned his 16th career shutout in a 0-0 draw at Sporting Kansas City March 16. In 2012, Johnson appeared in a career-high 31 regular season matches for the Men in Red and recorded five shutouts en route to a 1.24 goals against average that was the lowest in his professional career. Johnson made 108 saves in 2012, including a career-high ten saves against the San Jose Earthquakes July 28.
Johnson will miss the Fire’s match against Chivas USA at Toyota Park on Sunday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. CT (My50 Chicago/UniMas/107.9 La Ley).
