Walker back in the mix?

[Sandon Mibut]

Very quietly, Jonny Walker has returned to the form that made him a favorite of Bruce Arena after he joined the MetroStars in 2003.

That year, Walker replaced Tim Howard and in 14 games went 4-5-5 with a 0.95 g.a.a. with 4 shutouts and stopped 55 of the 69 shots he faced. His g.a.a. was the lowest in MLS, though he played in far fewer games than the other starting GKs.

That lead to him getting several call-ups from Arena, who loved his composure and grace under pressure, including being a backup for some early qualifiers last year.

Walker earned three caps, all starts, and went 1-0-1 and allowed one goal, a PK to Denmark. (After a scoreless 45 minutes against Haiti, he was replaced by Kevin Hartman, who allowed the only goal and got the result on his record.) He was the starting GK for the US 1-0 friendly win over Mexico in Dallas last year

But then he got hurt and his MLS season went to sh!t and he went from being the national team No. 2 to out of favor with his club. In 28 MLS games, his stats fell to 10-11-7 with a 1.61 g.a.a. (11th in MLS) and he stopped 99 of the 144 shots he faced with 5 shutouts.

He had offseason surgery and missed the first part of this year then sat the bench before being traded as Bob Bradley opted for the aging Tony Meola. When Walker joined the Crew this summer, their starting GKs, Jon Busch and Bill Gaudette, had a combined record of 4-8-2 with a 1.71 g.a.a. and had stopped 55 of 79 shots with 4 shutouts.

By contrast, Walker has a 5-4-1 record with a 0.80 g.a.a. (the lowest in MLS but, again, he’s played fewer games than the other starting keepers) and has stopped 29 of the 37 shots he’s faced and has 5 shutouts.

The point is, when he played like this two years ago, he became a Bruce favorite and now that he seems to be back to that same form, doesn’t it seem logical that Walker will re-emerge as a candidate for one of the two back GK roles with Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Matt Reis, Kevin Hartman and Joe Cannon?

I won’t be shocked if Bruce doesn’t give him another look, but I will be surprised.

[Matrim55]

Oh I wish we had a Jonny Walker keeper
That is what I'd really like to see
Because if we had a Jonny Walker keeper
The MetroStars would be a playoff team!

[lurking]

Quite possibly.. but it's hard to say. Goalkeeper is the position in the US that I think leaves the most to personal taste.

[fidlerre]

Walker has been playing exceptionally well with the Crew right now.

It wouldn't shock me at all to see him called in for the last two games of the hex.

[beatsoccer]

Why Bruce has never called up Tim Howard ?, does he know how good quality the player is when signed by Man U ? and eventhough he doesn't start, but the level of practice alone is really high there, well at least he should be the number two goalie and leave the third for either Hahnemman or Matt Reis/Walker.

[ifleming16]

Oh I wish we had a Jonny Walker keeper
That is what I'd really like to see
Because if we had a Jonny Walker keeper
The MetroStars would be a playoff team!
If only we didn't have the Isaiah Thomas of the MLS as our GM...

But on topic, Jonny Walker (when on his game) is an experienced keeper that can easily challenge for the third spot on the World Cup squad.

[HDC neighbor]

I think if Johnny Walker gets a call from Bruce Arena, it's not because of his performance or GAA in MLS....

He was in top form when he played for Colo Colo / Universidad Catholica in Chilean league....He went thourgh the tough South American games surrounded by passionate / violent fans.....He played at Copa Liberadores too...

BA may be matching the picture / impression of his tough image against the tough away game in Mazatenango....

Good luck Johnny....actually I wanted you to go from Chile to Spanish league and prosper there before coming to MLS.....

[m vann]

Why Bruce has never called up Tim Howard ?, does he know how good quality the player is when signed by Man U ? and eventhough he doesn't start, but the level of practice alone is really high there, well at least he should be the number two goalie and leave the third for either Hahnemman or Matt Reis/Walker.


Tim wasn't called in to the Mexico game and the next qualifier because his wife just gave birth to their first child in Manchester. In addition, Howard is in a fight for his life to establish himself as the #1 at Man U and can't afford to be away from their training at any time. There's also no need to put the wear and tear on his body by traveling across the pond just to be on the bench for the Nats. This would jepordize his standing with Man U. There's no doubt that Howard is an unreal talent in the waiting and with the way Keller has played there's no need for change. The most important item on Howard's list it to be the #1 at Man U and he needs every opportunity to do so. He's on the young side for a keeper and there are plenty of years left for him to be the Nats #1. Howard understands his situation and knows what he has to do.

[Bluecat82]

Why Bruce has never called up Tim Howard ?, does he know how good quality the player is when signed by Man U ? and eventhough he doesn't start, but the level of practice alone is really high there, well at least he should be the number two goalie and leave the third for either Hahnemman or Matt Reis/Walker.

Tim is expecting his first child, and was not called in by Bruce for Mexico and Guatemala for that specific reason.

[Metros#1]

If only we didn't have the Isaiah Thomas of the MLS as our GM...

But on topic, Jonny Walker (when on his game) is an experienced keeper that can easily challenge for the third spot on the World Cup squad.Agreed. When he is in form, he has the experience, the shot-stopping ability and the capability of not giving up rebounds.

[m vann]

It's no secret that Jonny struggled last season and had a shoulder injury. I believe that Jonny played hurt most of the season and tried not to let the Metros know about the injury intially. He tried to battle through it and probably let them know about the injury when it was too late. This subsequently lead to his benching after he was healthy and also to his exit. I've followed Jonny since his days in Chile and love what he brings to the table. His experience with the hostile crowds allows him to handle pressure. His has incrediable foot work and is pretty adapt with his reflexes and ability to drive high or low. His distribution is acurate and is solid with the ball at his feet. I was elated he moved to Columbus and got a fresh start. The way he's played since his arrival has warranted at least a look by Bruce. When Busch comes back there will be a dilema and I hope it works out for both.

[Ghost]

I hope so.

[rgli13]

lets see- keller, howard, then one of:

mh, walker, cannon, reis.

i have the utmost faith that any of the four could give us every bit the quality play meola gave us in japan/korea.

[warmblooded]

It's no secret that Jonny struggled last season and had a shoulder injury. I believe that Jonny played hurt most of the season and tried not to let the Metros know about the injury intially. He tried to battle through it and probably let them know about the injury when it was too late. This subsequently lead to his benching after he was healthy and also to his exit. I've followed Jonny since his days in Chile and love what he brings to the table. His experience with the hostile crowds allows him to handle pressure. His has incrediable foot work and is pretty adapt with his reflexes and ability to drive high or low. His distribution is acurate and is solid with the ball at his feet. I was elated he moved to Columbus and got a fresh start. The way he's played since his arrival has warranted at least a look by Bruce. When Busch comes back there will be a dilema and I hope it works out for both.

Exactly.

Walker is the only MLS keeper that I would feel totally comfortable with for a big match.

[kebzach]

Why Bruce has never called up Tim Howard ?, does he know how good quality the player is when signed by Man U ? and eventhough he doesn't start, but the level of practice alone is really high there, well at least he should be the number two goalie and leave the third for either Hahnemman or Matt Reis/Walker.

You're saying that Bruce has NEVER called up Howard?

Stop drinking. Now.

[ssanchez]

lets see- keller, howard, then one of:

mh, walker, cannon, reis.

i have the utmost faith that any of the four could give us every bit the quality play meola gave us in japan/korea.
I am probably get pomeled here but I think hartman is better than reis.

[sidefootsitter]

I am probably get pomeled here but I think hartman is better than reis. And Cannon is better than Hartman. But Bruce likes what Bruce likes.

[rgli13]

I am probably get pomeled here but I think hartman is better than reis.

well, to be honest- in a game of any consequence i dont want to see anyone other than keller, howard, walker, or hahnneman in goal (in that order).

hartman, reis, rimando...all exactly the same guy. cannon is slightly above- but still, if the game matters i want one of our top four, after that we better be playing trinidad.

[scaryice]

Nobody should be using GAA, it's a meaningless statistic.

[ssanchez]

well, to be honest- in a game of any consequence i dont want to see anyone other than keller, howard, walker, or hahnneman in goal (in that order).

hartman, reis, rimando...all exactly the same guy. cannon is slightly above- but still, if the game matters i want one of our top four, after that we better be playing trinidad.
How great is it that we are soooo deep in this position that we can sit great keepers like the ones mentioned as being the same. Some countries would kill for these keepers ability, except maybe rimando he just doesn't convince me.