Lloyd Barker reminisces on his career ahead of Wall of Fame honour Saturday at Stade Saputo
Lloyd Barker’s career was guided by humility and helping his team succeed. He notably contributed to the Montreal Impact’s championships in 1994 and in 2004 along with three consecutive regular season titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
On Saturday, as CF Montréal hosts the LA Galaxy (7:30 p.m. EDT - Apple TV, RDS, TSN, TSN 690), Barker’s teammates will be standing with him for his Wall of Fame induction. TICKETS HERE
Barker was overwhelmed by the amount of family and friends who intend to be present at Stade Saputo for the occasion. He particularly looks forward to having his younger daughter, who wasn’t around during his playing career, with him. "My sons have grown up through football with me, so none of this will surprise them,” he said. “But my daughter is going to be shocked. It'll be the first time she realizes that her dad actually did something meaningful in his career!"
Road to the 1994 championship
For Barker, the Bleu-blanc-noir’s run to a historic first championship title in 1994 was an effort that began before the team first stepped onto the pitch in 1993. “I was more or less an invitee at the open trials with probably 200 players,” Barker said. “When I was able to crack the squad, they didn't expect much from me but I expected a lot of myself.”
The forward impressed his coaches and was able to take part in the team’s inaugural match. Injuries within the squad allowed for Barker to gain more minutes and flourish into his role with the Montrealers. On Oct. 15, 1994, Barker helped Montreal capture its first championship with a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Foxes at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard.
“For me to assess 1993, I always have to tie in 1994,” Barker said. We won the championship a year later, after finishing bottom of the table in 1993. But what we could not forget was the importance of getting out into the public, getting out into the city, the communities, and making sure that we're promoting ourselves, promoting the Club and building a foundation.”
Bowing out as a champion in 2004 win
Later in his career, Barker faced a near-career-ending setback: a partial dislocation of his neck while attempting a bicycle kick playing indoor soccer for the Edmonton Drillers. Barker was a few millimeters from losing the ability to walk or move his arms.
"Everybody thought I was done. Except Lloyd Barker," he said. "Everything I did every single day was to put myself in a position to return to the field." The long and arduous process included surgery and wearing a neck brace, but Barker was committed to returning to the pitch. True to himself, Barker wanted to help the team win.
After his near miraculous return to the pitch, he changed positions. His process led him to converting from forward to defender, acting as a fullback and helping to secure Montreal’s back line. On Sept. 18, 2004, in the final game of his playing career, he was able to help Montreal secure the team’s second championship in a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard. “I started as a winner in Montreal, and I left Montreal as a winner.”
Experience Lloyd Barker’s Wall of Fame induction at halftime of the CF Montréal vs LA Galaxy game this Saturday. Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Get your tickets HERE.
