COLUMBUS, Ohio - Crew General Manager Mark McCullers and Head Coach Greg Andrulis announced today that the team has acquired goalkeeper Jonny Walker from the MetroStars in exchange for The Crew's natural fourth-round draft pick in the 2006 supplemental draft.
The Crew did not have to waive a player to create a roster spot for Walker due to three season-ending injuries on the team. Walker will be with the team at training today, at 10 a.m., at Obetz.
The addition of Walker will help offset the losses of starter Jon Busch and backup Matt Jordan to injuries. Busch is out for the season after tearing his right ACL on May 25 in Los Angeles and Jordan has been out since April 30 with a lower back sprain. Rookie goalkeeper Bill Guadette is the only healthy goalkeeper on The Crew roster.
"I am extremely excited to be joining Columbus," said Walker. "The team has a number of very talented players and I am looking forward to coming in and helping the team out to the best of my ability."
Walker joined the Metros midway through the 2003 season, posting a league-low 0.95 goals against average in 14 games. In 2004, he started 28 games with a 1.61 GAA.
Walker required off season rotator cuff surgery and was still recovering at the start of the season, giving current Metros starter Zach Wells the chance to start. Walker then strained a calf muscle in a reserve league game and Wells has stayed in the starting 11.
"We are thrilled to be able to add a goalkeeper the caliber of Jonny Walker," said Andrulis. "With the season ending injury to Jon Busch and injury to Matt Jordan we felt that it was important to add a veteran in the goal. Jonny has played at the highest level domestically and internationally, as well as being capped with the U.S. National team. We continue to put the pieces in place that will allow us to push forward."
Prior to the MetroStars, Walker was the first American player to establish a successful career in South America, making his mark in the Chilean First Division. He played for Huachipato (1998), Unversidad Catolica (1999-2002) and Colo Colo (2003) while in Chile, and was named the top goalkeeper in Chile during the 2002 spring season.
Walker has also earned three caps with the U.S. National Team, making his debut on January 18, 2004, and is 1-0-2 in those three appearances.
He played one season at the University of Louisville. Walker and his wife, Shaunna, have one son, Seth.
JONNY WALKER
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180
Born: 9/13/1974 (30)
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Citizenship: United States
College: Louisville
How Acquired: Acquired on July 1, 2005 from the MetroStars in exchange for The Crew's natural fourth round draft pick in the 2006 Supplemental Draft.
