Arena: Walker Will Get His Shot

[sch2383]

http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Breaking_News/page_131_60447.shtml

"I think he's been one of the top keepers in the league this year, no question about that," Arena told Soccer365. "We think he's good enough to bring into our camp and we'll try to do that."

And our depth at the keeper spot grows...I would say Walker is number 5 at the most.

[greenbill]

Just curious...who are the 4 you would put before him? I guess the 1st 3 are obvious: Friedel, Howard, Keller, ?

[sch2383]

Adin Brown. TRIBE PRIDE BABY!

[Roehl Sybing]

This, I believe, is also a somewhat good sign that Arena and the Nats are planning something in terms of a friendly before qualifying begins, as the article talks about the MLS contingent of American keepers.

[Red Card]

Selling keepers can keep MLS going and going and going.

"Keepers for Sale! Get your Red-Hot keepers!"

[Roehl Sybing]

I swear, people must love me, because they love to turn threads into ugly arguments on which I will endlessly rant. People must love to hear me speak. :)

[Red Card]

Originally posted by Roehl Sybing
I swear, people must love me, because they love to turn threads into ugly arguments on which I will endlessly rant. People must love to hear me speak. :)

Huh? Sounds like you approve of "trolling".

[Roehl Sybing]

Originally posted by Red Card
Huh? Sounds like you approve of "trolling".
JM and J, have a clue. Or at least a sense of humor.

[Sandon Mibut]

It's kinda hard to type right now as I'm using one hand to pat myself on the back.

On the "5 players Bruce should call up" thread and "GKs for early rounds of WC qualifying threads" I argued for Walker's inclusion.

Nice to the see the big man is listening!

That said, it's not like I really discovered a diamond in the rough. As Arena said, Walker's been (among the best GK in the league since he came aboard and the bigger news would be if he didn't cap him.

But, I still maintain that despite his performance in MLS this year, what is going to separate him from the other domestic keepers (sans Meola) is his experience in big games in hostile environments that he got playing in Chile. None of the other US keepers in MLS have every played in anything like that and that is the kind of atmosphere we'll face in Guatamala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Jamaica and that is a clear advantage Walker has.

[Scoey]

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
It's kinda hard to type right now as I'm using one hand to pat myself on the back.

On the "5 players Bruce should call up" thread and "GKs for early rounds of WC qualifying threads" I argued for Walker's inclusion.

Nice to the see the big man is listening!



I know you're kidding, but Walker has been on Bruce's for a long time. Since well-before he came to MLS.

I'm serious when I ask whether Walker wants to play for the US. Wasn't there talk about him playing for Chile awhile back? I'd think he'd a have a better chance of starting for Chile than for the US. Did this talk die? Anybody know?

[Martin Fischer]

Originally posted by Scoey
I know you're kidding, but Walker has been on Bruce's for a long time. Since well-before he came to MLS.

I'm serious when I ask whether Walker wants to play for the US. Wasn't there talk about him playing for Chile awhile back? I'd think he'd a have a better chance of starting for Chile than for the US. Did this talk die? Anybody know?

It probably died because he is from Tenesee or something like that and he no longer even works in Chile.

[Bluecat82]

Scoey, I would say this puts the final nail in that particular coffin...

While Walker admits he would jump at the to opportunity to play with the U.S. team, he is trying to focus on the MetroStars' first round playoff match up against the Revolution and does not want to think about a potential camp invite until the season is over.

"Obviously, I'd be very receptive to go in and train with the selection, but until something really comes up it would be foolish for me to comment on it," he says.

[pepe_pupu]

I follow a lot of South American soccer and I do believe Walker had a chance to join the Chilean national team as he did put in the time to be nationalized there. The Chilean national team head coach and assistant coach are Walker's coaches from Universidad Catolica and there was talk of them calling him. However, Walker turned down a renewal offer from Colo Colo to come back to the States and try to get back into the US mix. I've seen numerous articles that he always wanted to play for the US, even though he felt a great affinity to Chile and how the league developed him. He still talks highly of his experiences there and I think it really shows in his play here. Glad he's hopefully going to get a shot with the USA.

[TeamUSA]

Good for you Johnny. Hope he gets his chance. He shouldn't have played for Chile, he's from the US.

[SamsArmySam]

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
But, I still maintain that despite his performance in MLS this year, what is going to separate him from the other domestic keepers (sans Meola) is his experience in big games in hostile environments that he got playing in Chile. None of the other US keepers in MLS have every played in anything like that and that is the kind of atmosphere we'll face in Guatamala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Jamaica and that is a clear advantage Walker has.

Excellent point.

But that still puts him squarely behind Friedel, Keller, and Howard...

Even if he tears it up in MLS and in training camp, he's most likely looking at a number 4 spot through 2006.

[Casper]

Originally posted by SamsArmySam
Excellent point.

But that still puts him squarely behind Friedel, Keller, and Howard...

Even if he tears it up in MLS and in training camp, he's most likely looking at a number 4 spot through 2006.

You never know if Friedel and Keller will still be playing at their current level; nor do you know if one or more of these three will be injured. So there's plenty to play for.

[Red Card]

Originally posted by Casper
You never know if Friedel and Keller will still be playing at their current level; nor do you know if one or more of these three will be injured. So there's plenty to play for.

being #4 is excellent for the resume

[wva97]

Originally posted by Casper
You never know if Friedel and Keller will still be playing at their current level; nor do you know if one or more of these three will be injured. So there's plenty to play for.

Exactly. I'm not rooting for it, but I consider it likely that either Friedel or Keller will not find a roster spot come 2006.

[flanoverseas]

Originally posted by TeamUSA
He shouldn't have played for Chile, he's from the US. He really shouldn't have. Bad Johnny! Bad!

[FIXXXER]

Originally posted by TeamUSA
Good for you Johnny. Hope he gets his chance. He shouldn't have played for Chile, he's from the US.

Why didn't we use this logic with Regis? Wasn't he from France???