Chicago Fire goalie Sean Johnson was called in to the US national team’s January camp on Thursday for the second straight year.
The senior camp will cap what has been a very busy offseason for Johnson. The 22-year-old ‘keeper participated in a US U-23 camp in Germany in November, trained at English Premier League club Everton in early December, and is currently in a second camp with the U-23’s.
The January camp, which will conclude with friendlies against Venezuela and at Panama, will be Johnson’s first chance to train under US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
“I’m definitely excited about it,” Johnson said on Thursday. “There’s a lot to look forward to in getting to play alongside the guys that are going to be there. We have two games to cap off the camp, so I think it will be good competition and one that will help prepare for the season as well.”
The camp will also give Johnson an opportunity to train alongside D.C. United goalie Bill Hamid. The 21-year-old Hamid has been a bit of a Klinsmann favorite since the German took over this summer, consistently getting called up to senior matches to back-up starting goalie Tim Howard.
For his part, Johnson said he is more focused on getting results against Venezuela and Panama than competing against Hamid or Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando at the camp.
“The January camp is always the one where there’s a longer camp and it’s going to be one that’s demanding and I think the guys are ready for that,” Johnson said. “Everybody has to work hard and prepare for the games. The most important thing is to come together at the end and get results against Panama and Venezuela.”
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
