Johnny Walker from Chile to MLS?

Check out the article about him in Soccer america about two issues ago, he's on his way to a Mexican club because they pay almost as well as Europe, and they're much closer to family and the US national team.

 

Much more recent news had that as not happening..
He is not going to Mexico at last word.

 

I heard the same. Some Mexican first division clubs are trying to sign him. He is not better than Joe Cannon, Nick Rimaldo or Tim Howard by the way. I see him playing for San Jose if there is not any offer from a Mexican club.

 

Bound for the States?

In one of Soccer America's e-newsletters this past week (tues or wed of the week of jan20), it said he is most likely heading for the MLS. It said that nothing panned out in Mexico (otherwise he'd be playing right now).

If Jordan stays in Portugal, I'd think DJ Countess (spelling?) would get the nod... But, yes, potentially 2 starters from 2002 are leaving the league... So, he shld be able to step into a starting roll somewhere....

 

From the Earthquakes' beat-writer Dylan Hernandez:

Moore and Yallop said the Earthquakes probably will sign another goalkeeper before the season starts in April. Among the candidates is Johnny Walker, an American who played the past two years for Universidad Catolica of Chile's first division. Walker is not under contract, and the Earthquakes have been in talks with his agents.

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/sports/soccer/mls/san_jose_earthquakes/5029390.htm

 

Dude, that was a few weeks ago already, the Mexican league is well under way, and Walker isn't playing. I mean, doesn't that mean anything to you?

 

A bit off topic, but every time i see a MFL game i'm shocked that these teams aren't raiding MLS for goal-keepers. I don't want to resteart the endless MFl or MLS discussion, but I don't see where there can be any arguing that the goal-keeping in Mexico is as bad as in any league on earth (saw two keepers get nutmegged by slow rollers in two weeks last year. Yuck.).

 

why would an american GK lower himself to playing in mexico? that's the question.

 

(Why lower self to Mexican league) Chicks, tequila...does one have to explain more?

 

Mucho mas dolares - sin duda.

I watch a lot of MFL and MLS and also don't understand why Mexican clubs aren't bringing in more gringo keepers - and central defenders, too, for that matter. But anyway...

...the SA article (Dec. 16, 2002) also mentions that Bruce plans to give Walker a look soon. Playing in MLS will obviously help his cause on that front.

 

All I know about Walker is that he is no longer in Chile. He took his family back to the US. In Chile nobody is going to talk about him anymore unless he becomes a super star (which I doubt... but I could be wrong). There's someone around this boards who knows his wife and talks to her quite often... ask him.

 

First of all, Walker has a wife and son and is not gay... If he would go to Mexico - it's because they pay big bucks... Looks like that's not happening at the moment, though... Easier to get in there in June/July, though when their season begins.

Other than that, he's had some recent interviews (Las Ultimas Noticias - www.lun.cl /but I don't have the link to the article) that I've seen in the Chilean press and is still in Santiago with his family. I guess he is in talks with the MLS (San Jose), but is also looking at some other options in Europe.

 

wrong...heard hes back in the states and will play with the quakes...the deal will just take some time. expect him in san jose by march.

 

Sorry Dat, but he's still in Chile.... I'm based here in Santiago with my job and I know he hasn't left yet... No doubt that there's interest from San Jose, but nothings done yet. I'm sure they're going to have to pony up some dinero to bring this guy in... Hope they can, though... I think he'd be good for the US league. But it's all over the press here that he's got two prospects in Europe...

 

do they report who?

 

chicara,

sorry to inform you that the european window is now closed and that jonny to europe does not exist until june.

that being said, i would stop trying to use these boards as leverage advertisement to justify more money for johnny. san jose is appealing to him because the team is older, has a family atmosphere for a guy like walker.

if the league knows johnny is in the states, they will think he has no offer and might low ball him.

Either way....Walker to San Jose around one hundred grand is my prediction.

laugh at me when i am wrong.

 

Re: (Why lower self to Mexican league) Chicks, tequila...does one have to explain more?

Walker is a great talent and watched him play for the Jacksonville Cyclones when we had an a-league team. If he does come to the MLS, it will be because they offer him the top rate and to get the attention from The Bruce to play for the national team.

 

Here's a nice interview with Walker from January 18, 2003:

http://www.lun.com/deportes/detalle...2638889&cuerpo=701&seccion=806&subseccion=901

In this interview Walker says he's leaving Chile due to the economic problems facing the clubs there (he points to the upcoming rule banning relegation for a few years as a main cause of the economic crunch, well that and the general economic malaise throughout all of South America). He also says how he was earning a tremendous amount of money in Chile until the team's then coach (and new national team coach Juvenal Olmos) told him the gravy trian days were ending for all in Chilean soccer.

He's sad to go as he loves the country and all of the friends he and his wife made in Chile. He also said he lived like a king in the country on the salary he was earning. He further states he'll be a cruzado (Universidad Catolica's nickname) for life and hopes to help the team in the future by being their North American contact.

The article also says he doesn't want to talk about his future team (the author speculates LA Galaxy but I heard Sigi Schmid last week on the radio said LA doesn't have the salary room to sign him) but he has been in discussions with MLS and looks forward to the chance to receive a callup to the US national team.

Finally he discusses his replacement at U. Catolica and speaks highly of youth team goalkeeper Rainer Wirth who he says is a player to watch for in the future at Universidad Catolica. All in all a good interview.