To say Sean Johnson knows his way around Toyota Park would be an understatement.
Following seven seasons as Chicago Fire’s no.1, the 28-year old returns for the first time as an NYCFC player this weekend.
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Ahead of what is sure to be an emotional evening for the goalkeeper, Sean admits that it will feel strange to be on the other side of things on Saturday night but is fully focused on the task in hand.
Johnson has been a model of consistency ever since his offseason trade and is ready to try to defy his in-form former employers in a game which will have huge ramifications on the MLS Playoffs race.
Johnson told NYCFC.com: “It’s going to be really special for me returning to this stadium. It’s where I started my career and had the opportunity to become a professional soccer player, so I’m really thankful for that and the fans, along the way, have been tremendous.
“To be back in front of them is going to be great – of course It’s going to be a bit weird to be on the opposite side in the warm-ups and in the away locker room but to be in front of familiar faces will feel good.”
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Johnson kept his seventh clean sheet of the Regular Season in NYCFC’s last outing in Montreal on Wednesday night.
The team flew to Chicago on the morning after that 16th victory of the season and, with both Chicago and Atlanta United nipping at their heels, it was an important win.
Now Johnson is targeting another victory, this time over a direct rival to keep the hold of the second seed placing which would earn the Boys in Blue a bye to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“Obviously, we’re here for a reason and that’s to get three points and I think everyone is focused on that," Sean asserted. "It’s a big game for us with how things stand in the Playoff race.
“This week has been really important for us and I think ending it on a good note we’ve been really focused on.
“I think the team is approaching this game well and we understand the importance of the game. For us, training has been good, travel has been good – everyone has been taking care of what they need to in order to make sure that come Saturday we’re ready to do what’s necessary to get the three points.”
