BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – On a day of high activity at Toyota Park, the not-so-small matter of a returning fan favorite almost slipped through the cracks unnoticed.
But to many amongst the Chicago Fire fanbase, the return of former goalkeeping ace Jon Busch was as significant as the high profile unveiling of Scottish international Shaun Maloney earlier in the day.
Busch enjoyed three seasons in Chicago from 2007 to 2009, winning the club’s MVP award and being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2008, before departing for San Jose, then coached by current Fire head coach Frank Yallop.
There had been murmurings of more announcements to follow when media arrived for Maloney’s highly-anticipated Monday morning press conference, and with confirmation of the club’s new three-year local TV broadcast deal with Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Busch’s expected arrival took somewhat of a back seat.
“He’s just going over his paperwork, but basically we’ve agreed on everything and just waiting for Jon to finally sign the contract, so we’ve picked him up, yeah,” Yallop told reporters after the team’s first training session at the Bridgeview Sports Dome on Monday.
With reigning Fire MVP Sean Johnson Yallop’s undisputed No. 1, New York native Busch will offer experienced back-up for the USMNT player, especially with Kyle Reynish’s departure for New York Red Bulls last week.
“Right now, Jon is in to make sure the goalkeeping core is good,” Yallop confirmed, with Alec Kann also continuing his development with the club. “I had Jon in San Jose and he’s a terrific professional, terrific goalkeeper, and I think any chance you get to get someone like Jon Busch in you take it. He’s going to be good for us, so excited to have him.”
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“Sean and I are actually really good friends,” Busch, 38, said to ChicagoNow.com. “We talk all the time. We have a great relationship and I’m excited to be back to train with him. He’s the No. 1, no doubt about it. I’m going to come in and do what I always do, just work hard and train every day and try to get better as a goalkeeper.
“At the end of the day, if and when Frank needs me to play, I’ll play. When he doesn’t, I’ve got Sean’s back and I’ll help him in any way I can. There’s another level that Sean can get to and I want to help him be a part of that.”
Yallop also confirmed that he would be continuing his search for a replacement on his coaching staff for former assistant CJ Brown, now with New York City FC, while trialists Mark Pais (goalkeeper), Belgian defender Joachim de Wilde and former LA Galaxy defender Bryan Gaul began their quest for a permanent role with the club.
