Not that we need many more world classs keepers, but its always nice when someone from home (Tennessee) starts showing he can be USA n.1 in our keeper pool. Walker has taken a harder road it is now paying off. Recent article from Soccernet on J Walker and US Mexico- "However, McAleenan has seen Walker do things in training that even Howard did not do over his six-year span with the MetroStars. "Howard clearly has the edge," said McAleenan, "But I'll be bold to say that Jonny is as good, if not better, than Tim in many ways. His ability and experience that he got in his years away has allowed him to melt South American and American styles of goalkeeping into one strange, but very effective, combination. He's shown he's reliable and works hard in the same way on a day-to-day basis."
I do not know about next year because of the work permitt issues but he does have the ability and that swagger which we will see tommorow night against Mexico. Maybee in a couple of years when he gets enough caps under his belt. He should be the next American GK to make the jump.
thatd be nice. maybe even spain, if he plays that south american style? oh, an interesting note. the metros goalkeeper coach quoted above... i have worked with him at an sga goalkeeper camp a few years back. he was my instructor and awarded me with best male keeper of the camp. hes a great guy who definately knows his ********. forza inter
His first cap came against Ecuador in 2002 http://www.ussoccer.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=1728&bioreports=2484 He played in the Confederations Cup, I remember that. I'm almost positive he played all three games in the tournament.
9 actually. Debuted in 2002 against Ecuador, also played in 2002 against El Salvador and 2003 against Canada, Argentina, Jamaica, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, and Cameroon. I believe he hasn't gotten a cap since joining Man U.
Not a chance. He's already cap-tied to US because of Confed Cup play. Besides, the Hungarian passport was a tool to help him get a work permit. Nothing more, nothing less. Sachin
I was responding to pabmiesters question of whether he has any caps that is only an issue if we think he might go someplace else
I've followed Jonny's career ever since he was at Louisville and I never doubted his ability one bit. I thought he was a little crazy for pursuing a career in South America, given that most US fans follow the Euro leagues. He knew that he if worked hard enough he would get an experience in South America that many players around the world don't get, with the hostility and the Capa Libertadores. Jonny has developed a game that is so much different than any other GK we have and its nice to see. Even though some people think he has just "burst" onto the scene because of his lack of exposure until he arrived in MLS, he is a big game player and it will continue to show thoughout the MLS season and any opportuntity he gets with the Nats. With the experience and the ability to speak fluent Spanish I believe in 2 years time we could see him playing in Spain.
Look, I think Walker's gonna be a great keeper and this is a fantastic problem to have . . . . But one guy was just named to the Premiership XI and the other hasn't even gotten a full year of MLS under his belt (yeah, yeah, I know, he played in Chile. He might as well have been playing in Scotland). All I'm saying is give it some time. Make this comparison a year from now when they're fighting for a World Cup slot.