Wizards NOT Set to Sign Walker

For those that missed it earlier today, word out of the UK was that the Wizards were "set to sign" Ian Walker, who had been in town recently for the invite only tryouts that the Wizards held out at Swope Park. The funny thing is that the report states the source as, close friend of this blog, Thad from The Back Post. For reference, here is Thad's report about the invitee tryouts last Friday, you see a mention of the fact that Walker is there at the tryout, but nothing about the Wizards even considering signing the former England international. Thad told me he does not know where the article got the idea that he was "set to sign" from his post. According to Thad, Walker isn't even currently in camp with the team, while another keeper from the tryouts and Nelson Pizarro still are with the team.

After I read the article this morning I tweeted about the potential signing. I was quickly given a tweet response from the Wizards themselves on the signing, saying "Walker is on trial, but reports that he's signing are premature. He's trying to make the squad like others in camp." Given all this information, I'd that I've been given, including speaking with the article's source, I'd say it's a little far off the mark right now. Now whether it turns out to eventually be true, we'll have to wait and see, but he's certainly not "set to sign"

Invitee Tryouts

Yesterday I mentioned some of the trialists that were in or coming to KC. Today Thad at The Back Post went out to practice to see what was going on with the biggest of the names on that list, Vincenzo Bernardo, and found that there were about 30 players there for an invitee tryout. Along with some of the players I mentioned, there were some other players there that Wizards fans or soccer fans in general may recognize. Two former Wizards were out there at the tryouts, former open tryout participant, Nelson Pizarro, and a draft pick from last year, Doug DeMartin.

Probably the biggest name of all those there, was Ian Walker, who judging from Thad's photos is the same Ian Walker that player in the Premiership. Walker, who is 38 now, was last with Bolton in the 08-09 season, but has not played a professional game since the 06-07 season. Unfortunately from the photos I don't recognize any other players that are out there though. I'm sure those that impress will be hanging around and joining the team when they begin training this Tuesday. Will be interesting to see who impresses enough to be brought back, if any.