Gone is the sizable presence of Zach Thornton in goal for the 2007 Chicago Fire, but the position is in good hands. Fire Head Coach and the Fire faithful will rely on the poise and agility of starting keeper Matt Pickens in the back, with depth provided by the newly acquired Major League Soccer veteran Jon Busch and rookie Nick Noble. Fire Insider had a chance to catch up with the Keeper Crew, including Assistant Coach Daryl Shore following Saturday's shutout (Pickens' second MLS shutout) against the New England Revolution.
Fire Insider: Penalty Kicks, do you choose a side or try to read the player?
Jon Busch: I try to read the player a bit but I more try to react to the ball.
Matt Pickens: I personally react at the last second, I've tried reading the player before and I don't like it so I just go on gut instinct.
Nick Noble: I leave my mind open and I take a lot from the approach of the player.
FI: What was the best save you ever made, which one are you most proud of?
JB: In the 2002 Open Cup final against L.A. Galaxy my first year in Columbus, or the first save I made for the National Team when we were playing Colombia.
MP: I would have to say Taylor Twellman's header in the playoffs last year against New England. We had a one goal lead and it was my first shutout and being a playoff game it really meant a lot to me.
NN: Since I don't have any professional experience yet, I would have to say my sophomore year at West Virginia, I made a save off a header against St. John's in the BIG EAST Championship and we went on to win the game 1-0. I have a picture of it in my room and I look at it everyday.
FI: When Section 8 or other supporters groups are behind you singing and chanting is it difficult to communicate with your field players?
MP: It is a lot harder to communicate on the Section 8 end, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's great to play in front of fans that are rowdy and into the game.
NN: It is something that you become accustom to, and when you really know your teammates there are only a few instances where you need to communicate with words.
FI: Matt, Dave Sarachan said to the press that he's "giving you the keys to the bus" this season. How do you feel about stepping into the starting role, do you feel a lot of pressure being placed in that position?
MP: Pressure is something that you place on the situation and on yourself. I don't really put pressure on myself because when it comes down to it, this is a game. I love what I do and I am passionate about the game, but if you put too much pressure on yourself it is going to affect your life outside of soccer.
FI: Jon Busch, you were in preseason with two other teams (Columbus Crew and Toronto FC) how do you feel about landing in Chicago?
JB: I'm excited, we spent 5 great years in Columbus but it's a new chapter in my book. Having faced the Fire so many times in the past, I know it's a great organization and I know that the Fire has Championship teams and I'd like to win more championships before I retire. This is a great group of coaches and a great group of guys in the locker room, so it's exciting.
FI: Nick, word on the street is that you are a pretty good golfer, do you play competitively?
NN: I played competitively in high school but I didn't play competitively very much in college. I did some U.S. Open qualifying but soccer was number one and I knew golf was always going to be there. Golf is something I would like to pursue later in life.
FI: Daryl, do you participate in any of the drills during practice?
DS: I do partake in some of the drills and sometimes I get in the goal and play against them. Infact I don't think Matt has a winning record against me.
MP: That's a boldface lie.
FI: What is a typical day like for you guys? What do you do in your downtime?
JB: I'm up around 7:30-8:00 a.m., eat breakfast and try to read the paper. I go into training around 9:15 - when you are older you need a little bit more training to get your body going again. A couple days a week I stay in the weight room after and do some weight training and plyometrics, then its time for lunch. Right now I'm trying to find an apartment so that's my afternoon.
NN: Unfortunately I spend most of my time looking for an apartment.
MP: I clean up after my roommate Chad (Barrett).
FI: What is your favorite part of Chicago? Do you have a favorite place you go or activity?
DS: I am a suburbanite so I like downtown Elmhurst. I don't get downtown very much.
MP: I have a spot by the museums I like. It's a little grassy knoll underneath a tree. I go there a lot in the summer.
NN: I haven't spent much time in Chicago yet, so everyday is something new for me.
JB: I look forward to going to some Blackhawks games. I'm a big hockey guy.
FI: Favorite sports team other than the Chicago Fire?
DS: I'm a New York fan, so it's all about the Yankees, the Giants, and the Knicks.
MP: Cardinals, Blues, and Rams
NN: Baltimore Ravens and I'm an Orioles fan as well.
JB: Rangers, Yankees, and Newcastle United would be my favorite soccer team.
FI: What player did/do you look up to?
MP: Chris Armas. I don't think a day goes by that people can say they haven't learned something from him.
NN: (laughing) Growing up it would be Jon Busch. I'm a Brad Friedel fan.
JB: Scott Garlick and Mark Simpson
