On June 20, the Chicago Fire announced that Chad Barrett, Chris Rolfe, and John Thorrington would join the U.S. Men's National Team in a World Cup qualifier against Barbados on Sunday June 22. Thorrington, who already had one "cap" after playing in the June 7, 2001 match against Ecuador, appeared in the Men's National Team 1-0 defeat over Barbados on Sunday June 22.
Eddie Lewis scored the lone goal in the match versus Barbados. The win also pushed the team into the Semifinal Round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Thorrington is now back in Chicago preparing for the Fire's game against the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday, June 28, at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m.) and Fire Insider had a chance to chat with him about his experiences.
Fire Insider: What were your initial reactions when you received the call up to the U.S. Men's National team?
JT: I was kind of surprised at first. When I first heard the news it was still kind of still up in the air, but I was obviously excited for the possibility of joining them. There were some complications with regard to getting my passport. I didn't have my passport with me in L.A. because I didn't know when we left for the roadtrip that I would be going in. So, I had to fly back to Chicago and there were complications. I wasn't sure if it was going to prevent me from going. In the end it worked out fine and I was definitely very excited with the honor of being called up.
FI: How did this opportunity compare to your first "cap" back in 2001?
JT: It was very different. The first one was a friendly in the summer. The big difference then is that I was 21. I don't know if I was the youngest but definitely on the younger end of the squad. This time, I was on the older end. Most of the older guys were guys I grew up playing with on youth national teams and the Olympic team squad so it was very different being on the other end of the age scale. This being the World Cup qualifier was obvioulsly a more meaningful game. The guys that played two Sunday ago did the majority of the work. It was 8-0, head start going in. It was good. I enjoyed both. You get the opportunity to play for your country, its' a great honor.
FI: Your teammates Barrett and Rolfe also saw playing time... Who else on the Fire would you have liked to see take the trip with the team to Barbados?
JT: Obviously there are a lot of guys. I would pick out, Jon Busch has had a really good season for us and I also think Logan Pause. His name got thrown into the mix about possibly being called up and I think he's done a great job for us and I think he does a lot of the dirty work for guys that maybe get the headlines and the goals. I think he does a great job for us. I think he's the guy I would single out not just because he's a good friend of mine, but he has had a very good consistent season for us.
FI: You were among some of the best players in the U.S., was there any sharing of soccer techniques?
JT: I think most of the guys I played with growing up so there were no big surprises and the nature of the trip was delayed, so we ended up getting there the night before the game without even practicing. So I didn't get to spend much time with the guys, but anytime you're around great players like that, you definitely absorb and pick up certain things.
FI: What is your most treasured memory on or off the field during your stay with the National Team?
JT: You know, just being there, getting a chance to play really was exciting. Off the field, you know, the beach was really close and I just took up a surf board and hit some waves. The waves were really good out there and Barbados is so tropical. It really is beautiful.
FI: How has the Fire season been for you so far?
JT: I dealt with a lot of injuries prior to this season and it really is uplifting to finally get a chance to stay out there on the field. I think I really need to be out there to showcase myself and it's been really encouraging for me. You know, when you're on the bench a lot of people think you're doing nothing, but really you're out there longer and before anyone trying to work hard to get back in. I've been really appreciative of the time I've had on the field this season.
FI: Overall, what can you say is the Fire's biggest accomplishment on the field thus far?
JT: Well, we had a really strong first half... and lately we've been on a little slide, but I think we can really pick ourselves back up together and make a strong push from here on out. You know, we really want to go as far as possible, possibly win the U.S. Open, the MLS Cup, win as much as games as possible and try to do the best we can.
