Chile reception

MetroStars sign goalkeeper Walker to replace Howard

ATLANTA (SI.com) -- The MetroStars have acquired goalkeeper Jonny Walker to fill the roster vacancy left when Tim Howard joined Manchester United this week.

The 28-year-old Walker, currently a member of the United States national team player pool, most recently played for Colo Colo in Chile.

"We are very excited that Jonny is joining the MetroStars at this time," said MetroStars coach Bob Bradley. "He has earned this opportunity by taking the challenge of leaving the United States and going to South America to develop as a goalkeeper.

"His experience in competitions like Copa Libertadores will prove to be valuable to us throughout the rest of the season and over the next few years."

The 6'3" goalkeeper arrived in Chile in July 1997 with Universidad Catolica and proceeded to carve the most successful career for an American player in South America.

Catolica loaned Walker to Huachipato in 1999, where he started regularly and earned a solid reputation at the Concepcion-based club. Walker returned to Catolica and won the starting goalkeeper spot from Chilean national team and 1998 World Cup goalkeeper Nelson Tapia.

The California native became a mainstay with Catolica and helped lead the team to the 2002 Chilean Apertura (spring season) championship and was named the best goalkeeper of the season.

Catolica qualified for the Copa Libertadores and advanced from a difficult Group 8, competing against Flamengo (Brazil), Olimpia (Paraguay), and Once Caldas (Colombia). Walker helped the team post a 3-1 win in the first game against Flamengo at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro to mark the first time a Chilean team won at the renowned stadium.

After the 2002 season with Catolica, Walker joined Colo Colo and was inserted into the starting lineup. He helped the team to a runner-up finish in the 2003 Apertura championship, dropping the two-legged final to Cobreloa. He played one game in the 2003 Cop Libertadores, posting a 2-2 tie with eventual champion Boca Juniors on April 3.

Prior to joining Catolica, Walker captained the A-League's Jacksonville Cyclones for most of the 1997 season. In 1996, Walker was drafted by the Dallas Burn out of the University of Louisville in the third round with the eighth pick (28th overall) of the 1996 Supplemental Draft. At Dallas, he backed up 1996 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Mark Dodd.

Walker will wear jersey No. 1, which has not been used since Mike Ammann wore it in 2000. Only Tony Meola and Ammann have donned No. 1 for the MetroStars.

 

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