Chicago Fire’s Bobby Shuttleworth: “I’m looking forward to helping the team”

On the day where Chicago Fire goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL, new starter Bobby Shuttleworth talked about the opportunity he’s getting in goal.

That’s the life of a backup goalkeeper. You don’t wish injury upon the starter, but you have to be ready if something bad happens.

“When I came here, I tried to prepare myself as if I’m playing every game,” Shuttleworth said in a video released by the Fire. “I obviously feel very bad for Kenny, but I’m looking forward to playing, and looking forward to helping the team.”

Kronholm is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020 MLS season for the Fire, which begins again next week, Aug. 20, when the team visits the Columbus Crew (6:30 p.m, WGN & ESPN+). Kronholm had started the last 25 games for the Fire, a team that’s seen a revolving door of goalkeepers since Sean Johnson joined NYCFC in 2017.

Shuttleworth has a massive amount of MLS experience—185 appearances for the New England Revolution and Minnesota United, but struggled for playing time recently. He was sent on loan to USL Championship side Sacramento Republic for the tail end of the 2019 season, and signed with the Fire in January.

The team gave up five goals over three matches at the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, which is one of the things Shuttleworth said they’re working to improve.

“I think we have a lot of work to do,” Shuttleworth said. “We just have to keep continuing to work hard, working on our technique, building as a team, working on our defensive shape. There’s lots of things we can work on, to try to get better before our first game.”

After Aug. 20’s restart to the season in Columbus, the Fire head home to play the first match of the season at Soldier Field on Aug. 25 against FC Cincinnati (6:30. WGN & ESPN+).