Fire’s three-match home winning streak over
Fire goalkeeper David Ousted wasn’t thrilled about being benched for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with New York City FC. And it was news to Ousted that he’s staying on the sideline Wednesday.
Ousted had been in net for the Fire’s first 13 games but was replaced by recently signed Kenneth Kronholm. Coach Veljko Paunovic said Kronholm will be in net Wednesday at DC United when the Fire continue a crucial three-game stretch against Eastern Conference contenders.
Apparently, the media heard about the decision before Ousted. The veteran goalie said he didn’t know he was sitting Wednesday until he was asked about it in the Fire dressing room following Paunovic’s news conference.
“That’s my first (time) I hear of it, so no I haven’t been told that,” Ousted said. “But like I said, my job now is to go in and work hard.”
Kronholm was not available to the media.
The Fire had hoped Ousted would stabilize a position that’s been unsettled since NYCFC goalie Sean Johnson was sent out after the 2016 season. Ousted’s mistake against Vancouver led to a 1-1 draw, and his inability to handle a control a cross handed San Jose a goal last Saturday during a difficult 4-1 loss to the Earthquakes.
But he’s also had positive moments in a position where mistakes are magnified.
“I think I’ve played well in my beginning here,” Ousted said. “Obviously, I think we as a team had a collective off-day and me as well in San Jose, and the coach chose something else. My job now is to work hard and get myself back in the starting 11.”
To remind the Fire of what they had, Saturday was Johnson’s 76th regular-season start for NYCFC since leaving Chicago. Meanwhile, the Fire (4-5-5, 17 points) have started Matt Lampson, Jorge Bava, Richard Sanchez, Stefan Cleveland, Patrick McClain, Ousted and now Kronholm since Johnson’s departure.
And after Saturday, it looks like Ousted isn’t the only key Fire player who’s fighting for a spot in the starting 11.
Nemanja Nikolic, the 2017 Golden Boot winner, has struggled to convert chances this season and only came on as a 78th-minute substitute. CJ Sapong, who started up top in place of Nikolic, scored his fifth goal and has arguably been one of the Fire’s best all-around players.
“To give you a short answer,” Paunovic said of the Ousted and Nikolic changes, “it’s a tactical decision for both.”
Unsurprisingly, Ousted said he told Paunovic he disagreed with Saturday’s change but was ready for the competition.
“I thought I deserved a little bit longer leash,” Ousted said. “Like I said, I’m ready to fight. I’m ready to show that that’s my spot.”
