BRIDGEVIEW Ill. ā Two former Fire players will square off against their former team on Wednesday night, including the man Chicago let go before the season in one of the most shocking personnel moves of the spring.
Goalkeeper Jon Busch is the man in question, dropped by the Fire just a week before the season began. He landed in San Jose, where heāll be the man in net as the Earthquakes look to inch closer to a postseason berth with a result against the Fire at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Busch was replaced in net first by backup Andrew Dykstra, who midway through the season gave way to rookie Sean Johnson.
āI like Busch and weāre good friends,ā Fire veteran C.J. Brown said. āYou miss a guy like that. But I think Sean and Andrew have done well for us. The goals that weāre giving up arenāt Sean or Andrewās fault.
"I think it was disappointing to lose [Busch] but I think Sean has developed and Andrew has developed also, so itās a good opportunity for them.ā
[inline_node:319435]Busch said this week he holds no grudges against Chicago about the move, but it certainly doesnāt hurt that itās the Quakes on the verge of the postseason and the Fire needing points just to stay alive.
āIām old enough to know that the only thing that matters is the result,ā Busch said. āIt doesnāt matter who itās against. I think maybe when I was younger, especially the first time I went to Columbus, it was tough for me. But now, it just is what it is.
"Itās just another game and for us. If we get our three points, weāre one step closer to the playoffs, and thatās all weāre concerned about. Thereās no old grudges.ā
Former Fire defender Tim Ward will also suit up against his old teammates after he was traded to San Jose in early August for a 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick. Ward has started seven games this season for the Earthquakes.
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.