There was a time a not long ago when all the pundits agreed: The next goalkeeper of the United States Men’s National Team was going to be Sean Johnson or Bill Hamid, in that order. All other goalies in the national team pool were too old or too raw to be factored into the decision, and surely Tim Howard would be in the picture until he could no longer play a match. As it stands today, Johnson is out of the first team picture for the US, with at least four in-form keepers ahead of him, and five if Tim Howard had not retired from international play last year.
As the Chicago Fire’s fourth round pick in 2010 MLS Superdraft, and carrying a Generation Adidas tag, Johnson impressed MLS in his rookie year. He won three save of the week awards in five nominations, looked like a veteran in net, and earned himself a trial with Manchester United in the off-season. He has trained with Premier League teams every winter since. Despite Chicago’s poor form during his career, he has remained an everyday starter, winning the Fire’s Defender of the Year award in 2013. Johnson’s leadership and organization on the field has improved as well.
For all the hype over Johnson in his first few MLS seasons, his USMNT career has not gone as well as many hoped. With only 5 caps for the senior team since 2011, Johnson has failed to pass Nick Rimando on the depth chart. Jurgen Klinsmann started Rimando over Johnson at the 2013 Gold Cup and also took the 35 year old to the 2014 World Cup to back up Howard.
Many Fire fans expect their keeper to be called to this summer’s Gold Cup, but it is by no means guaranteed, and is actually unlikely. Brad Guzan is due for some reps as the #1, and assuming Klinsmann still loves Rimando, it’s pretty certain he will get the call as backup. That leaves one goalkeeper spot open for Bill Hamid, Johnson, and William Yarbrough to fight over. Hamid is having a career year, and Yarbrough won the Apertura and Clausura with Leon in the 2013-2014 seasons. Johnson the fewest caps, and has been the most inconsistent of those three keepers so far this year. Most writers’ predictions for the Gold Cup roster have Johnson missing the cut, which begs the question: Has Sean Johnson peaked?
The irony in Johnson’s potential roster snub is that he is currently riding the bench due to the form of Jon Busch, the man signed to fill in when Sean was away on international duty. Busch is a fan favorite in Chicago and he has started the past two games, facing Columbus Crew and Montreal Impact. He has looked more confident, more reliable, and more vocal on the field. Frank Yallop claims that “it’s a secret” who will start each game, but “both are ready to go” for any game. He also alluded to the fact that Johnson and Busch have a great, well-documented friendship and there is nothing but respectful competition between the two.
Despite playing it coy, the manager also suggested this week that he plans on starting Busch more than a few times. When asked what kind of thought he gave to the consequences of starting Busch over Johnson, he said “I’m not here to be a sort of charity guy…I’m not going to put the team in any negative (place). I’ve said it before, if it’s Sean or another player, sometimes coming out of the side helps”. Another point Yallop made is that since his rookie year, Johnson has never missed much time with the Fire, and has trained in every offseason. “I took him out and said, look, just take a break…he’s cleared his mind.” After 5 years of constant training, has mental fatigue set in?
The Fire manager also compared benching Johnson to his management of Harry Shipp during Shipp’s rookie season in 2014. “I did it with (Harry) last season. I think he came back really, really strong…and now he’s better for it”. And regarding any effects this has on Johnson’s career – “It doesn’t stick in my mind, going ‘I’ve got to make sure it’s the right decision for just Sean’. It’s got to be the right decision for Chicago Fire.”
Chicago has been hoping to be able to sell Johnson to a club abroad for a few seasons, dating back to that trial with Manchester United in 2011. Johnson has been trying to break into the USMNT first team since then as well. But for a manager, winning the next game on the schedule always takes precedent over transfer scenarios that haven’t worked out, or the career aspirations of one player. Yallop has a great problem on his hands with two great goalkeepers he can call on, either one of which could start for any MLS team.
Sean Johnson still has a long career ahead of him. If nothing else, his situation is a great example of how difficult it is to be a goalkeeping prospect in the United States. With so many fantastic goalies at every age competition is fierce, and the US is known for its production of good goalkeepers. Jon Busch came up in a generation of players that was absolutely stacked with keepers, only ever getting one cap with the senior national team. Nick Rimando was part of that cohort and he’s gotten his best run with the USMNT in his late 30s.
Still, Johnson may have missed his chance to be the #1 choice for the US team. If he is not called up this summer, how he responds will be very important for his future. At 26, there is plenty of time for him to move to a bigger league and a new challenge. Maybe Yallop is right. Maybe Sean just needs a break first.
Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
