This probably has already been discussed, but with all the talk of new keepers taking over for the Nats, why the heck doesn't Johny Walker from Universidad Catolica in Chile get a chance? He has been starting there for years, and even though the Chilean league isn't the highest quality, he has played in the big games with bigtime pressure. Today, at 2 pm pacific he will play in the first leg of the Chilean finals. You can watch him live on FSenE or delayed tonight on FSW at 8pm pacific. IMHO, he is fust as good as Tim Howard, Nick Rimando or any other up and coming keeper. Is there something hindering his chances? I have been watching him in this years playoffs and he can be spectacular at times.
I'll be watching live.. I've seen a several of his games this year.. He looks solid to me.. Glad we have this problem of so many good keepers. He will be eligible for citizenship in Chile soon. Don't know what he'll do though. I like to see him get a US cap. I have no idea how much he's making down there but they had that strike this year and I know he can't be making that much there. Not even sure if he's making as much as he would in MLS. Likely so..We need more info!
Well, he might go to play with LA Galaxy. You'll get the chance to see him play at home. IMO he is not that good. I've seen lot's of games (since I live in Chile) and he doesn't really call my attention for his work. I can't really tell if he is any better than the rest of your options in the US since I haven't seen any of your people playing (other than those who played on the WC), though. I think Walker is overrated.
He probably isn't as good as Friedel or Keller... but not many in the world are. But from what I have seen, he is as good as ANY MLS keeper. Keepers can get just as good of experience in a crap league as they can in La Liga. Since Keller and Friedel are slowly slipping out of the Nat picture in the next few years, all I have heard of is Howard and Rimando. Is Walker rumored to be transfering to the Galaxy? I would love that. Then we could see him head to head with the other supposed future keepers.
The Galaxy is pretty solid in the goalkeeping dept.. I wonder where the source of this rumor is? Anyone seen anything on this that's in print or from some quotable source?
BTW, I will be watching live as well today. Generally, the Chilean league is difficult to watch, but when the big three hook up(La U, Colo Colo, Catolica)in Santiago, it is a must see, especially in the finals. Having Walker in the game just makes it that more interesting.
Don't get me wrong, as a huge Galaxy fan, I like Hartman and Reis alot, but I am not completely sold on them. I would like to give Walker a shot. But I have no idea of the validity of that statement from Biosoccer.
I'm agree with you but I just don't see it as a priority with them right now. Hartman had a great MLS year. It just doesn't seem like a move they would make at the present time.
That is very true. But supposing an MLS team wanted him, would he fit the criteria as a discovery player? I can't remember the criteria exactly.
I'm sure he would fit in well in MLS somewhere.. Just don't see him coming to the Galaxy this year or next unless something is happening with Hartman we don't know about..Like a job in Europe.
I've seen Walker play a few times and to be honest he isn't very good. I agree with biosoccer. He went to Chile because he couldn't get a starting gig in MLS. With a few exceptions South American goalkeepers aren't all that great. This explains why a mediocre yank can hold the number one jersey at a big South American club.
Keep in mind that I live in Chile, so soccer news are on daily news for at least 15 minutes. Rumor is that he got a good offer from Galaxy not so long ago. If money is going to be the issue for him to take a decision, I'll say he is gone.
There you go. Why do you think Vargas changed his nationality? Cause he knew he could get a good shot as the national goalkeeper. Other than Tapia, we have nothing but crap to stop our goals.
Walker looks solid and in position 30 minutes in so far. With Catolica down a manfor the rest of the game, it should be a good test. Not that one game is any indicator, but he should face a lot of shots with Colo Colo putting on major pressure.
According to Soccer America, he is out of a contract in December and is looking for a move to Mexico, not the LA Galaxy.
I've been watching a lot of the Chilean playoffs and keep thinking the same thing--the fans are tremendous, the play is slow and monotonous and way too devoted to "toque" and "buen tratamiento de la pelota" for 21st century results-oriented futbol. Johnny Walker hasn't stopped anything that Adin Brown or Tim Howard or Zach Thornoton or Kevin Hartman or Nick Rimando couldn't stop. Even if he could eek out a starting spot in Colorado or Dallas, I don't see him as a factor in the national team pool. This is one area that's an embarrassment of riches for the US--let him start for Chile (we've got a free trade agreement now, after all!)--and maybe that will give them a better chance of capturing one of the now FOUR spots available to S. America for the next World Cup (a change I find ludicrous).
The thing is that Universidad Catolica's defense is so good that Walker doesn't see that much action. Cristian Alvarez, Pablo Lenci and Miguel Ramirez are hands down three of the best defenders in Chile. I agree with biosoccer, Walker has made many horrible mistakes in the past, but in the U. Catolica - U de Chile matches, as I remember it, Walker was top-notch, his best performance I've seen so far. And the LA Galaxy rumor was uttered by the people from the Chilean soccer news program, Zoom Deportivo. But like I said, it's only a rumor.
UC's defense didn't look very spectacular last night in the first leg of the final. Neither did Walker, but how much space is the defense going to give to the attackers? Two shots from almost the exact same spot into the lower left. Most of the game I thought Walker came off his line well and distributed the ball well, and those goals were not all his fault. It was a tough situation after Ramirez was sent off.