Columbus Crew goalkeeper Jonny Walker on Friday announced his retirement from professional soccer. A chronic, inoperable back injury that kept him out of action for the entire 2006 Major League Soccer season has ended his career at age 32.
"I would like to thank my wife, Shauna, for her endless love and support. The game can be very hard on a family, especially when every effort is made to put soccer first," said Walker. "Other thanks are in order, but the list is far too long to name everyone. I remember every person that helped me during this journey and will never forget their kindness or unselfish deeds."
Walker joined MLS in 2003 when he joined the MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) after a very successful career in South America. The Tennessee native headed to Columbus in a trade with New York midway through the 2005 season and he immediately stepped into the starting role that was vacated by injuries to Jon Busch and Matt Jordan.
Walker played 16 games for Columbus that season, posting a 1.12 goals against average en route to being named the team's 2005 Defender of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. However, a degenerative annular tear kept him sidelined for all of 2006, while the Crew medical staff and several of the nation's top spine specialists attempted unsuccessfully to correct the problem.
"Jonny Walker was a tremendous acquisition and asset for the Crew in the short time he was here," said Crew general manager Mark McCullers. "It has been well documented that our goalkeeping situation had a profound effect on our 2006 season and played a central role in altering its course. Jonny's unfortunate injury was certainly one of the key influencing factors and I have no doubt that it would have been a very different season with a healthy Jonny Walker."
"Jonny Walker is a player that was missed last year, due to his personality and commitment to winning," added Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "I am disappointed that I won't have a chance to coach him, but I enjoyed getting to know him last season."
Prior to playing in MLS, Walker was highly successful in South America, starring in the Chilean first division. He played for Colo Colo (2003), Universidad Catolica (1999-2002) and Huachipatu (1998). He also earned three caps with the U.S. men's national team.
"I learned in South American that 'there are no goodbyes in futbol,'" Walker said. "This viewpoint made it easier over the years to watch fellow players and coaches come into and go out of my life. I will always remember them and have never forgotten the moments that we shared. I wonder when I will see them next, or hear of their successes through a mutual friend of the game. That is why I am not saying goodbye, I am simply saying, 'I will see you around.'"
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
