Goalkeeper David Ousted wasn’t thrilled about being benched for the Fire’s 1-1 draw Saturday with New York City FC. And it was news to Ousted that he’s staying on the sideline for the team’s next game.
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 play Wednesday at D.C. United when the Fire continue a crucial three-game stretch against Eastern Conference contenders.
Apparently, the media heard about the decision before Ousted. He said he didn’t know he was sitting Wednesday until he was asked about it in the dressing room after Paunovic’s news conference.
“That’s the 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 for comment.
The Fire had hoped Ousted would stabilize a position that has been unsettled since NYCFC keeper Sean Johnson was sent out after the 2016 season. Ousted’s mistake against Vancouver led to a 1-1 draw, and his inability to control a cross handed San Jose a goal last Saturday during a difficult 4-1 loss to the Earthquakes.
But he also has had positive moments at a position in which 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, Johnson made his 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 McLain, Ousted and now Kronholm since Johnson’s departure.
And it appears Ousted isn’t the only key Fire player fighting for a spot in the starting 11.
Nemanja Nikolic, the 2017 Golden Boot winner, has struggled to convert chances and only came on as a 78th-minute substitute. CJ Sapong, who started in place of Nikolic, scored his fifth goal and arguably has 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 the 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.”
Autore: Stefano Bentivogli
Other news - The Opponent
Other news
- 14:00 Mario Balotelli to MLS? Alessio Sundas Pushes for NYCFC Move in Bold Career Revival Bid
- 12:00 Etihad Player of the Month | Thiago Martins Scoops May Award
- 10:00 Italian Agent Alessio Sundas Aims to Revolutionize MLS with European Talent
- 08:06 Eight City Players Called Up for International Duty in June
- 12:30 Alessio Sundas Eyes MLS Revolution: After Balotelli, Gattuso Could Be Next
- 01:09 Hannes Wolf’s Late Heroics Rescue 2-2 Draw for NYCFC in Thrilling Comeback Against Nashville SC
- 19:00 NYCFC Aim to Reset vs. Nashville: “Time to Show Consistency” Says Jansen
- 18:00 Jansen Eyes Strong Start vs. Nashville: “Scoring First Changes Everything”
- 17:00 NYCFC Aim to Bounce Back Against Nashville SC: Jansen Calls for a Return to Identity
- 16:44 Mario Balotelli Eyes MLS Move: A New American Dream in the Works?
- 06:00 Injury Woes for NYCFC Ahead of Houston Clash: Four Key Players Ruled Out
- 04:00 Jansen Stresses Training Ground Mentality as Key to NYCFC Lineup Choices
- 02:00 NYCFC Gets Injury Boost as Keaton Parks Returns, but Caution Remains for Key Players
- 23:00 Jansen’s NYCFC Looks to Build Momentum With Big Night Under the Lights
- 22:20 Seymour Reid Signs Homegrown Deal With NYCFC – A Star in the Making Joins the First Team
- 14:00 Can NYCFC Ride the Momentum? Quick Turnaround Offers Opportunity Against Houston
- 12:00 NYCFC Extends Unbeaten Streak vs. Chicago Fire with Another Statement Win
- 09:51 Mounsef Bakrar Silences Doubts with Crucial Goal in NYCFC Comeback
- 16:00 NYCFC eye momentum: a pivotal home clash to spark an eastern conference climb
- 14:00 Chaos vs. Control: NYCFC and Chicago Fire Set for Explosive Showdown at Yankee Stadium
- 12:00 NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire: Can the Boys in Blue End Chicago’s Scorching Run at Yankee Stadium?
- 10:54 NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire: Key Absences for Jansen’s Side Ahead of Crucial MLS Clash
- 16:00 NYCFC Trio Named to Preliminary Gold Cup Rosters Ahead of Summer Tournament
- 14:00 NYCFC’s Push for Consistency Could Unlock Top-Four Potential in the East
- 03:00 Donald Trump Reacts to NYCFC's New $780M Stadium in Queens During UAE Visit
- 00:01 Why NYCFC Should Start Managing Maxi Moralez’s Minutes More Carefully
- 22:51 NYCFC Extends James Sands’ Loan to FC St. Pauli Through 2026
- 22:49 Why Pascal Jansen Should Consider Resting Maxi Moralez More Often at NYCFC
- 03:00 Jansen Praises Etihad Player of the Month Keaton Parks: “A Key Piece in Our Midfield”
- 01:00 NYCFC Brace for Cincinnati Clash: Jansen Outlines Plan to Stop Evander
- 23:20 NYCFC Hit with Injury Setbacks Ahead of Cincinnati Clash
- 22:53 Pascal Jansen Ready for Packed May Schedule: “This Is What You Live For”
- 19:00 Jansen Calls for Sharpness After NYCFC's 2-0 Defeat: "We Weren’t Good Enough in the Final Third"
- 18:00 MLS 2025: Market Giants Revealed – Messi and Puig Lead the Pack
- 16:00 NYCFC’s Road Form Is a Disaster. And No One Seems to Have an Answer
- 15:28 NYCFC’s Road Struggles Continue in 2-0 Loss to New England, Pascal Jansen: "The Quality Wasn’t There"
- 15:21 NYCFC Fall to New England for First Time Since 2022: "We Need to Be Better," Says Thiago Martins
- 15:08 Inter Miami Edge Columbus Crew 1-0 as Messi and Co. Shine in Front of 60,000 Fans
- 15:06 NYCFC Signs Forward Zidane Yañez to Short-Term Agreement Amid Rising Trajectory
- 15:05 NYCFC Fall 2-0 to New England Revolution Despite Late Push
- 16:00 Set-Piece Specialists: NYCFC Must Stay Sharp as Revolution Rely on Dead Ball Magic
- 14:00 NYCFC Return to Familiar Foe: Round Two Against Revs Promises Another Fight
- 08:45 NYCFC Aim to Turn the Corner: Road Test at New England Offers Momentum Check
- 15:00 Jansen Challenges NYCFC to Turn Control into Goals: “We Need to Do More with the Ball”
- 08:10 Jansen Rallies NYCFC Ahead of Union Clash: “No Excuses—We Perform, No Matter What”
- 14:19 NYCFC to Host Minnesota United Without Four Key Players
- 13:18 Pascal Jansen Emphasizes Control and Resilience Ahead of NYCFC Clash with Minnesota United
- 14:00 NYCFC Aims for Back-to-Back Wins Against Struggling Revolution
- 12:00 NYCFC vs. New England Revolution: Match Preview & Player Availability
- 10:42 NYCFC Prepares for Milestone Match Against New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium