BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire play their last game of the season on Saturday at the Home Depot Center against Chivas USA. Some notes from Wednesday's training session as the Fire prepare for the end of their campaign.
Johnson trains with first team; de los Cobos undecided on starter
Rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson (hyphema) trained for the third consecutive practice Wednesday, playing 'keeper for the Fire first team in an intra-squad scrimmage.
Andrew Dykstra – who started the Fire’s first 14 games – played the last three games in Johnson’s stead, recording two shutouts. Dykstra trained with the second team on Wednesday.
“Right now, I think Andrew is doing a very good job,” Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. “But we need to talk with Sean and see how he feels. He’s only been training a few days after he was out two, three weeks out so we need to know how confident he is to play.”
Johnson told MLSsoccer.com that he feels good and will be ready to play on Saturday.
McBride misses training; might not play on Saturday
Retiring forward Brian McBride missed Wednesday’s practice with a stomach ailment. The veteran striker will make the trip to LA for Saturday’s match, but might not be in de los Cobos’ starting XI.
“This is the last opportunity Brian has to play,” de los Cobos said. “Maybe he won’t start but he’ll [at least be] on the bench and a possibility to play.”
Designated Players Freddie Ljungberg and Nery Castillo were the first-team forwards on Wednesday.
Injury roundup
Forward Collins John (undisclosed illness), midfielder Mike Banner (bilateral Achilles tendinitis) and defenders Gonzalo Segares (right quad strain) and Dasan Robinson (left quad strain) all missed training on Wednesday.
Robinson is listed as out on the team’s injury report while Segares and Banner are doubtful. John doesn’t appear on the injury list.
Segares – the only regular starter of the aforementioned four players – was replaced in Wednesday’s first-team lineup by left back Krzysztof Krol.
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
