September 2, 2012
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Johnson, Baruch get calls

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. ---The Chicago Fire had a pair of players called up for international duty, with goalkeeper Sean Johnson (United States) and forward Orr Barouch (Israel U-21) have been called up by their respective national teams.

Johnson has been called up by U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the United States' 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match against Jamaica on Friday, Sept. 7 at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica at 7:00 p.m. CT (beIN SPORT). Barouch will join the Israeli U-21 National Team for a training camp in Austria from Sept. 3 – Sept. 12.

Johnson will report to camp in Miami, Fla. on Monday, Sept. 3 following the Fire's match against the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Park on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 6:00 p.m. CT (Galavision/NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes). According to Klinsmann, Johnson will be the third string goalkeeper for the first game of the U.S.'s two game qualifying set, rotating that chore with Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando, who will join the U.S. for the second leg of the home and home series in Columbus on September 11.

Klinsmann made the decision to call both goalkeepers so neither would miss an MLS match. Tim Howard (Everton) and Brad Guzan ( Aston Villa) are the number one and two.


Johnson, 23, made his international debut on Jan. 22, 2011 against Chile at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Johnson has been capped twice for the United States and was recently named to the travel roster for the international friendly against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City Aug. 15.

Johnson has a accumulating a 11-7-4 record, including 4 shutouts. Johnson has made 78 saves thus far in 2012, including a career-high ten saves against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 28.

Born in Haifa, Israel, Barouch has represented Israel at the U-21 level five times, scoring twice. This season Barouch has appeared in nine games for the Fire, starting in the Fire’s June 2 match against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Barouch missed the Fire vs. Houston Dynamo match Sunday at Toyota Park and will also miss, the Santos Laguna international friendly at Toyota Park on Sept. 8 and the Toronto FC match at BMO Field on Sept. 12 while on international duty.

Johnson will return to Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 8 in advance of the Chicago Fire – Santos Laguna match at Toyota Park set for 7:30 p.m. CT. Barouch will return to Chicago Thursday, Sept. 13.