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Three Chicago Fire Players Called up for International Friendlies

August 12, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Chicago Fire

CHICAGO, Ill. (August 12, 2012) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Sunday that goalkeeper Sean Johnson (United States), midfielder Marco Pappa (Guatemala) and forward Orr Barouch (Israel U-21) have all been called up by their respective national teams for international friendlies on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Johnson and Pappa will both be available for selection to Fire head coach Frank Klopas tonight when the Men in Red take on the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park at 6:00 p.m. CT (Galavision/97.5 ESPN Deportes).

Goalkeeper Sean Johnson has been called up by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the United States Men's National Team's friendly match against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico on Aug. 15 at 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2). Johnson, who is in his third season with the Fire, has been capped twice for the United States. Johnson recently represented the United States at the U23 level during CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. Johnson receives the nod after a run of impressive performances for the Men in Red, including a career-high ten saves against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 28. In 19 games this season for the Fire, Johnson has accumulated a 9-6-4 record including four shutouts and 66 saves. Johnson will report to Mexico City on Monday, Aug. 13.

Guatemalan midfielder Marco Pappa receives the call up for los Chapines' friendly against Paraguay at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 5:00 p.m. CT on Aug. 15. Since his international debut in 2008, Pappa has earned 28 international caps for Guatemala. Pappa scored a goal in Guatemala's last match, a 1-1 draw against the United States in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying action at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala on June 12. Pappa currently leads the Men in Red with six goals this season.

Orr Barouch will represent the Israel U-21 squad when they take on the Russian U-21 side on Aug. 15 at Arena Khimki in Khimki, Russia. Born in Haifa, Israel, Barouch has represented Israel at the U-21 level four times, scoring once. This season Barouch has appeared in nine games for the Men in Red, starting in the Fire's June 2 match against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Barouch will miss the Chicago Fire - Philadelphia Union match tonight at PPL Park. Johnson and Pappa are expected to return ahead of the Fire's match against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. CT (NBC5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes).

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