Kasey Keller may not be a young man anymore, but at 39, he still may hold the key to the Sounder’s defense this coming season. The offseason signings of Freddie Ljungberg and Nate Jaqua suggest that the Sounder’s attack will be formidable.
However, the team has not brought in a high profile defender to bolster the back line. Fortunately, they made a very smart decision in signing a world-class goalkeeper in Keller.
With the acquisition, the Sounders obtained an extremely talented, high-character leader.
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Seattle has done well in picking up defenders such as Tyronne Marshall, Patrick Ianni, and Tyson Wahl (among others) who all bring a level of MLS experience to the club.
Unfortunately, potential center back Taylor Graham has a broken foot and may miss the start of the season. Keller’s role becomes even more important after the injury because Seattle does not have the luxury of great depth at the back. Add to that the failure to sign defender Jeff Parke, who was selected from New York in the expansion draft, and the Sounders are likely to rely heavily on Keller’s goalkeeping ability.
Though he doesn’t play the field, Keller occupies arguably the most important position on the field. Goalkeepers are often forgotten heroes on great teams, but all great teams have to have talent between the goal posts to succeed.
A native of Lacey, WA, Keller fits the profile of a veteran leader whose wealth of experience should help to shore up the last line of defense for the Sounders.
Before he became a seasoned professional, Keller went to college at the University of Portland where he was a first team All American as a senior and the 1991 Adidas Goalkeeper of the Year.
In 16 years abroad, Keller has manned the goal for many top-level clubs throughout Europe. He has played for Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and Borussia Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, not to mention a stint in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano.
Even with his soccer success overseas, the 3-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year may be best known for his international career as the goalie for the U.S. National Team. Keller has 100 caps for the U.S. and is the country’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts.
He started in goal for both the 1998 and 2006 World Cup teams, leading the 2006 team to the quarterfinals. Keller’s resume also includes three Gold Cup triumphs and two Honda Player of the Year trophies.
As long as Keller can stay healthy, age should not be a concern in terms of his ability to stop shots or provide quality in goal for the Sounders. Some may believe Keller’s best days are behind him, but goalies can often play at a high level much longer than other position players.
Edwin Van der Sar, the goalie for Manchester United, just set the record for minutes without conceding a goal in British soccer at 38 years old. Another American goalkeeper, Brad Friedel, is still plying his trade in the English Premier League at age 37 with Aston Villa, and his form is as good as ever.
The Sounders have a nicely balanced roster with young talent and veteran leadership. No leader on the team will be more integral to the success of Seattle’s newest franchise than Keller. He has been playing professional soccer longer than some of the younger players on the team have been alive. If the Sounders defense has a successful first season in MLS, it’s likely the team will have Keller to thank for it.
Reach Alden Walcon at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
