Americans Abroad

Walker apparently OK after scary collision in Universidad de Católica goal.

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
and Christopher Courtney (in Germany)
SoccerTimes

(Monday, October 14, 2002) -- American goalkeeper Jonny Walker suffered a frightening injury while minding the Universidad de Católica net Saturday, but reports from Chile indicate there shouldn't be any long-term consequences.

In host Católica's 1-1 draw with bitter rival Universidad de Chile, Walker was knocked unconscious in the 71st minute by a goal-mouth collision. He remained out for several minutes and was carried off by stretcher, but after spending Saturday night in the hospital for observation, Walker reportedly was released without serious consequences.

With the match tied 1-1, Walker came out to meet a Chile striker who had broken free behind the defense. Walker took the ball cleanly off the attacker's foot, but the opponent's momentum carried him into Walker and his knee hit the side of the keeper's head. Walker was unconscious for several minutes and reportedly suffered a slight seizure as he received medical treatment. He apparently was conscious by the time he was carried off.

Walker was judged to have fouled the attacker and a penalty kick was awarded. Since Católica had used all of its substitutes, defender Carlos Alvarez went into net, guessed correctly and dove to stop the penalty kick, then recovering to save a rebound attempt.

Walker is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

Almost all of the top leagues in Europe shut down this weekend for European Championships qualifying, but American John Thorrington started in midfield Huddersfield Town which shut out Notts County 3-0 in England's Second Division.

Thorrington, who has been bothered by nagging injuries and then found himself on the bench, probably had his best match of the season with his involvement in Town's attack, including taking corner kicks.

Joe Enochs went the distance in central midfield for Osnabrück which defeated local rivals Münster 3-1 before more than 10,000 in an anticipated local derby.

Former University of Maryland goalkeeper Russell Payne conceded two second-half goals for Elversberg which lost to Spfr. Siegen 2-1. Defender John Van Buskirk, who has been battling injuries, came on at halftime for Elversberg, but had to come off in the 87th minute.

Midfielder Tim Lawson went 90 minutes for Elversberg, while former United States national Michael Mason entered the front line for the final 18 minutes.

Eric Lukin, who played at the University of Illinois-Chicago through the 2002 season, went the entire way for Siegen at left wing.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent and can be e-mailed at bobwagman@soccertimes.com. Christopher Courtney is an American living in Mainz, Germany, and can be contacted at yanksgermany@yahoo.com.