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Revolution-Fire Preview

Aug 17, 2010 - 5:00 PM By ZAC POWELL STATS Writer

New England (6-9-3) at Chicago (5-5-6), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Fire may feel their playoff hopes were boosted with three key additions. A player that already was on the roster may be providing the biggest difference.

Sean Johnson looks to build upon his first career shutout when the Fire host the surging New England Revolution on Wednesday night.

Chicago (5-5-6) recently signed forward Nery Castillo and defender Gonzalo Segares, as well as acquiring midfielder Freddie Ljungberg in a trade with Seattle. The moves were made to help the Fire reach the playoffs for a 12th time in 13 years.

They're tied with the Revolution (6-9-3) for fourth in the Eastern Conference, five points out of playoff position.

While Castillo and Ljungberg were acquired to spark Chicago's offensive play, Johnson has provided steady goalkeeping.

The 21-year-old Johnson, selected in the fourth round out of Central Florida in January's SuperDraft, replaced Andrew Dykstra as the starter last month.

Dykstra started 14 league games, going 4-5-5 with a 1.36 goals-against average, ranking 12th in MLS. He had a difficult time in a 5-1 loss to Mexico's Morelia in a SuperLiga contest July 14.

Johnson replaced him during that tournament and has since cemented his status as the starter. He was superb in making seven saves in a scoreless draw with New York on Aug. 8 in Chicago's most recent match. That came a week after he made four stops in his MLS debut, a 3-2 win at Los Angeles as the Galaxy did all of their scoring on penalties.

"I don't really think about the saves I make or anything like that," Johnson told the team's official website. "At the end of the day, it's good to get a shutout defensively for our team and to get a point out of the night which I think is good."

Johnson may have more help defensively, with Segares potentially in the lineup. The left-sided defender rejoined the Fire after a six-month spell with Apollon of Cyprus. He spent the previous five seasons with Chicago.

Chicago, 2-2-4 at home, may have Ljungberg and Castillo starting together for the first time. Ljungberg has started the last two games, while Castillo played 34 minutes off the bench in his team debut against the Red Bulls.

They could combine with Marco Pappa, the team leader with seven goals - only one in the last four games.

The midfielder scored in a 1-0 win at New England on June 27, but he came up empty in a 1-0 loss to the Revolution at Toyota Park on July 17 during SuperLiga.

New England is riding a 6-0-2 run in all competitions, including 3-0-1 in league play following a season-high four-game slide.

Ilija Stolica kept New England rolling Saturday, netting his first goal in a 1-0 win over Houston.

"I think that small things make the difference, and the team who wants to win, who works one bit harder wins the game," Stolica said. "We have to stay focused and play with this confidence. We are in a good series of winning games."

Stolica will likely get a second consecutive start Wednesday. He joined the Revs last month after scoring seven goals in 11 games for Montenegro's FC Buducnost.