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Joe Willis (American soccer)

Joseph Mark Willis (born August 10, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC.

Joe Willis
Willis with Nashville SC in 2023
Personal information
Full name Joseph Mark Willis[1]
Date of birth (1988-08-10) August 10, 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Nashville SC
Number 1
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Denver Pioneers 53 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Real Colorado Foxes 7 (0)
2011–2014 D.C. United 23 (0)
2014 → Richmond Kickers (loan) 18 (0)
2015–2019 Houston Dynamo 90 (0)
2020– Nashville SC 151 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 23, 2024

Early career

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Willis played high school soccer for Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis. Willis played soccer for University of Denver from 2006 to 2010, serving as the starter from 2008 to 2010.[3] He was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2008, and was named All-MPSF from 2008 to 2010.[3] While at Denver, he also played for the USL Premier Development League Real Colorado Foxes.[4][5]

Professional career

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D.C. United

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Willis training before a DC United game in 2012

Willis was selected by D.C. United with the 50th pick in the third round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, and he signed a contract with the team on March 16, 2011.[6] Willis served as the backup goalie with Bill Hamid being the first choice goalie. He made his MLS debut on August 13, 2011, recording a clean sheet in a 4–0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Willis made only 3 appearances in his first season.[4]

For 2012, Willis became first choice goalkeeper while Bill Hamid was with the US U23 team for Olympic qualifying. However Hamid retook the starting job on May 5, 2012,[7] after Willis had made 9 starts.[4] On November 8, 2012, Willis came on as a substitute in a MLS Playoff match against New York Red Bulls after Hamid received a red card. He denied Kenny Cooper from the spot on the striker's second attempt (the first penalty kick that was successfully converted by Cooper was ordered to be retaken due to an infringement on the part of Cooper's teammates) and managed to keep a clean sheet to help D.C. United get a 1–0 win, advancing them to the next Eastern Conference Finals.[8] With Hamid suspended, Willis started the next match. However, this time he couldn't replicate his heroics as D.C. United fell to the Houston Dynamo 3–1.[9] Hamid returned for the second leg, but D.C. United drew 1–1 and was eliminated.[10]

Willis remained the second choice goalie for 2013, only getting an extended run of games while Bill Hamid was with the United States national team for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[11] Willis made 5 starts before Hamid retook the starting job on August 10.[12] Willis enjoyed success in the 2013 U.S. Open Cup. On May 28 he saved 2 penalties against the Richmond Kickers as D.C. United won on penalties. Willis helped lead D.C. United to 3 more wins, including a clean sheet in the semi-finals, a 2–0 win over the Chicago Fire.[4] Despite his strong performances in the tournament, Willis was replaced by Hamid for the final. D.C. United defeated Real Salt Lake in the final 1–0.[13]

In 2014, Willis became third choice goalkeeper after losing his spot as the number 2 to Andrew Dykstra in preseason. Willis was sent on loan to D.C. United's USL affiliate, the Richmond Kickers.[14] His first appearance of the season with D.C. United came in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Waterhouse on August 20, a 1–0 win for D.C. United.[15] Willis made 2 more appearances in the Champions League, both of them clean sheets against Tauro FC.[16][17]

Houston Dynamo

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Joe Willis playing for the Houston Dynamo in 2018

On December 8, 2014, Willis was traded to the Houston Dynamo along with Samuel Inkoom, in exchange for the rights for Andrew Driver (who moved to Europe and didn’t play for D.C.) and a fourth-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.[18] On December 19, 2014, he signed a contract with the Dynamo.[19] Willis served as the backup to Tyler Deric for 2015 and appeared in only six games in his first year with Houston.[20]

Willis got a chance to play early in 2016 with Deric missing time for an abdominal injury.[21] Deric returned in week 6, but he picked up a red card, with Willis coming in as a sub and starting the next game as Deric served his suspension. Willis came in for Deric again on May 15 as Deric served a suspension for another red card.[22] Willis picked up his first career assist in the game when he hit a long goal kick that Giles Barnes ran onto and converted to score the game winning goal over Real Salt Lake.[23] Willis would fill in for Deric as he missed time with another abdominal injury and an elbow injury.[22] He performed well, winning MLS Save of the Week for a stop against the San Jose Earthquakes on August 19.[24] He also made the MLS Team of the Week for that game.[25] He ended the season with 5 clean sheets from 26 MLS appearances.[26] Willis's strong performances saw him named the Dynamo defensive player of the year.[27] Despite his good play, the Dynamo missed the playoffs again.[28]

Willis missed the start of the 2017 season due to a knee injury.[23] He returned on April 15 and made 7 consecutive starts before head coach Wilmer Cabrera gave the starting job to Deric.[29] Willis became the number 1 goalie during the playoffs after Deric was arrested and subsequently suspended by the MLS.[30] He would help the Dynamo defeat the Portland Timbers 2–1 on aggregate and reach the Western Conference finals, where the Dynamo fell to Seattle Sounders FC.[31][32]

Ahead of the 2018 season, Willis re-signed with the Dynamo.[33] Off-season addition Chris Seitz started the year as first choice keeper. Willis would retake the starting job on April 21 and keep it for the rest of the season.[34] He enjoyed a strong performance on July 21, saving a penalty kick and being named to the MLS Team of the Week after helping the Dynamo get a 1–1 draw against rival FC Dallas.[35] The Dynamo would miss out on the playoffs in 2018, but they enjoyed success in the US Open Cup. Willis started the Open Cup semifinal match up with LAFC on August 8 as the Dynamo won on penalties. Willis kept a clean sheet in the final to help Houston defeat the Philadelphia Union 3–0 as the Dynamo won their first Open Cup in club history.[36]

Willis began 2019 as the club's first choice keeper. He played in every game of the CONCACAF Champions League as the Dynamo reached the quarterfinals.[36] After making a couple of costly errors in some games in mid-season, Deric got a run of 5 starts starting on July 17.[37] Willis returned on August 11, a 2–1 loss to the Union. He started the next 8 matches before sitting the final 2 of the season in favor of Deric.[38] It was another disappointing league campaign for Houston, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second straight season.[39]

Nashville SC

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On November 19, 2019, Willis was traded to Major League Soccer expansion side Nashville SC in exchange for Zarek Valentin.[40] He made his debut for Nashville on February 29 in Nasvhville's first ever MLS game, a 2–1 loss to Atlanta United FC. In a shortened season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Willis made 23 appearances, out of a possible 23, and kept a league best 9 clean sheets.[41] He also was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice during the season.[42][43] Willis led a Nashville defense that conceded the 3rd fewest goals in MLS, leading the team to a 7th place finish in the Eastern Conference and qualifying for the playoffs.[44] In Nashville's first ever playoff game, Willis kept a clean sheet to help defeat Inter Miami CF 3–0. He kept another clean sheet in their next match as they defeated Toronto FC 1–0 in extra time. In the conference semifinals, Nashville and Willis lost to the Columbus Crew 2–0 in extra time.[45]

Career statistics

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As of February 25, 2023[46][47][48][26]
Club Season League National cup Playoffs Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Colorado Foxes 2009 USL PDL 5 0 — 0 0 — 5 0
2010 2 0 — — — 2 0
Total 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
D.C. United 2011 MLS 3 0 0 0 — — 3 0
2012 11 0 1 0 2 0 — 14 0
2013 9 0 4 0 — — 13 0
2014 0 0 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 3 0
Total 23 0 5 0 2 0 3 0 33 0
Richmond Kickers (loan) 2014 USL Pro 18 0 2 0 0 0 — 20 0
Houston Dynamo 2015 MLS 3 0 3 0 — — 6 0
2016 26 0 3 0 — — 29 0
2017 8 0 2 0 3 0 — 13 0
2018 26 0 2 0 — — 28 0
2019 27 0 0 0 — 5[b] 0 32 0
Total 90 0 10 0 3 0 5 0 108 0
Nashville SC 2020 MLS 23 0 0 0 3 0 — 26 0
2021 34 0 — 2 0 — 36 0
2022 32 0 1 0 1 0 — 34 0
2023 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
Total 90 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 97 0
Career Total 210 0 16 0 11 0 8 0 245 0
  1. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  2. ^ Four appearances in CONCACAF Champions League, one appearance in Leagues Cup

Honors

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D.C. United

Houston Dynamo

Individual

  • USL Pro All-League Second Team: 2014[49]
  • Dynamo Defensive Player of the Year: 2016[50]
  • Dynamo Humanitarian of the Year: 2018[51]

References

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  1. ^ "2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Club roster: Nashville SC (USA)" (PDF). CONCACAF. January 30, 2024. p. 17. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Joe Willis". Nashville SC. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Joe Willis". University of Denver. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d "Joe Willis". dcunited.com. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "Joe Willis | Elite Football". www.elitefootball.com. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "D.C. United signs goalkeeper Joe Willis". D.C. United. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  7. ^ "Bill Hamid". dcunited.com. D.C. United. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  8. ^ Moore, Robert. "Joe Willis and Nick DeLeon Play Heroes as DC Advance to East Finals". Total MLS. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  9. ^ Lerner, Sarah (November 11, 2012). "United digs deep into its bench in first loss in two months". dcunited.com. D.C. United. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  10. ^ "DC United vs. Houston Dynamo - Football Match Commentary". ESPN.com. ESPN. November 18, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  11. ^ SoccerInsider. "Backup goalkeeper Joe Willis helps D.C. United play to a 0-0 draw at the Colorado Rapids". Washington Post. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  12. ^ "Recap: D.C. United 0 - Philadelphia Union 2". dcunited.com. D.C. United. August 10, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  13. ^ "2013 US Open Cup Final: Underdog DC United upsets Real Salt Lake to win third title (video) | TheCup.us - Full Coverage of US Open Cup Soccer". thecup.us. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  14. ^ Goff, Steven (March 25, 2014). "D.C. United loans 4 to Richmond". Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  15. ^ "DC United 1 Waterhouse FC 0". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 20, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  16. ^ "DC United 2 Tauro 0". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. September 24, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  17. ^ "Tauro FC vs. DC United - Football Match Commentary". ESPN.com. ESPN. October 21, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  18. ^ "Trade Tracker: MLS half-day trade window to make for a busy post-MLS Cup Monday". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. December 9, 2014. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015.
  19. ^ "Houston Dynamo sign goalkeeper Joe Willis". houstondynamo.com. Houston Dynamo. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  20. ^ "USA - J. Willis - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  21. ^ "Dynamo report: Goalie Tyler Deric among 4 injured players returning to form". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. April 6, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Dynamo goalie Tyler Deric reflects on trying season". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. October 12, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Joe Willis". houstondynamo.com. Houston Dynamo. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  24. ^ Brisendine, Steve (August 26, 2016). "Houston Dynamo's Joe Willis wins Save of the Week for Week 24". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  25. ^ Baer, Benjamin (August 22, 2016). "2016 Team of the Week (Wk 24): USMNT strikers shine bright in big wins". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Joe Willis Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  27. ^ "Houston Dynamo announce 2016 team award winners". Houston Dynamo. November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  28. ^ "2016 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  29. ^ "Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric stars in return to starting lineup". Times Union. May 30, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  30. ^ Gomez, Laura (November 14, 2017). "Houston Dynamo's Joe Willis making of of(sic) unlikely opportunity in net". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  31. ^ "Portland Timbers eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs after 2-1 loss to Houston Dynamo". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  32. ^ "Free-flying Sounders eliminate Houston Dynamo from playoffs". prosoccerusa.com. Pro Soccer USA. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  33. ^ "Houston Dynamo re-sign goalkeeper Joe Willis". houstondynamo.com. Houston Dynamo. February 7, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  34. ^ "Joe Willis 2018 Match Logs (Goalkeeping)". FBref.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  35. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (July 23, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Quintero dominates again in Week 21". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  36. ^ a b "USA - J. Willis - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  37. ^ Gribbs (November 21, 2019). "Making Sense of the Joe Willis Trade". dynamotheory.com. Dynamo Theory. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  38. ^ "Joe Willis 2019 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  39. ^ "2019 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  40. ^ "2019 Expansion Draft results: Inter Miami, Nashville SC make their picks". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. November 19, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  41. ^ "Statistics – Shutouts". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  42. ^ Quillen, Ian Nicholas (October 5, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: It's a midfield takeover in Week 15". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  43. ^ Quillen, Ian Nicholas (November 5, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Colorado Rapids, San Jose Earthquakes clinch more than playoffs". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  44. ^ "Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  45. ^ "Joe Willis 2020 Match Logs (Goalkeeping)". FBref.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  46. ^ "Joe Willis". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  47. ^ "J. Willis". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  48. ^ "Joe Willis GK". elitefootball.com. Elite Football. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  49. ^ "USL PRO All-League Teams Announced". USLSoccer.com. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  50. ^ "Dynamo Awards". houstondynamo.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  51. ^ "Dynamo announce 2018 team award winners". houstondynamo.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
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