It wasn't that long ago that Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch was a candidate for the MLS scrap heap. A succession of knee injuries had robbed him of some of the spring in his legs, and after being let go by the Columbus Crew following the 2006 season, the odds that he would become an MLS starter again seemed long indeed.
But Busch was given another chance by the Chicago Fire, and are they ever glad they did, as the 'keeper delivered several key saves in his club's 1-0 victory Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes. The best of the lot was his fingertip deflection off a Gavin Glinton effort in the 18th minute.
"[Glinton] tried to put a little bender right around me," said Busch. "Fortunately I was able to see it early, even though there was a guy in front of me. I was able to see it, and just react to it, and I was able to push it wide."
Busch's performance was just the latest in a series of solid outings to begin the 2008 season. Last year, Busch mostly sat on the bench for the Fire behind Matt Pickens, yet he credits that campaign for helping him get back to his best.
"Last year turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it allowed me to sit back and rebuild my game, and not force things too early," said Busch. "I didn't have to [think], 'I have to be ready for this game,' every weekend. At first it was hard to see that ... but it gave me the extra time with [goalkeeping coach Daryl Shore] to work with him and get back to where I was prior to my injury."
Busch wasn't the only player making the most of his opportunity on Saturday. Defender Dasan Robinson found out just 10 minutes before the kickoff that he would be in the lineup, after Brandon Prideaux strained his right hamstring during the warmup.
"It threw me for quite a big loop," said Robinson of his late insertion into the lineup. "As a pro, you always want to be prepared, but [usually] you know who is in and who is out. I just tried to get ready as quickly as possible."
While Chicago's defense wasn't dominant, the unit was solid enough with Bakary Soumare providing a commanding presence in the center of defense, and Wilman Conde seeing his first game action of the season.
"The guys in front of me did an unbelievable job," said Busch. "Everybody was sticking with their guys, getting a head on it, feet on it, blocking shots; whatever it took."
Given the injury bug that bit the Fire on the day, it was a result they will gladly take back to Chicago. Midfielder Chris Rolfe was left at home with a bad right ankle, and they sorely missed the bite he provides in attack.
Yet as so often happens, it took just one moment of brilliance from Cuauhtémoc Blanco to put Chicago on top. The Fire captain pounced on a San Jose turnover in the 19th minute, and after looking off a Quakes defender, delivered an inch-perfect pass to Tomasz Frankowski. The Pole's initial shot was saved by San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon, but Chad Barrett was quickest to the rebound, slotting home the game's only goal.
The Fire spurned some chances to go two goals up and it nearly cost them. As the second half wore on, it was San Jose who came closer to scoring, with two attempts hitting the woodwork and another point-blank chance missing the target. It was a case of Chicago doing just enough.
"We bunkered in and did what we had to do to get three points," said Busch. "It wasn't pretty, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Three points is three points."
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
