By JOSE M. ROMERO
Kasey Keller couldn't resist the urge to be a part of history, and besides that, his body and mind were in the right place.
So the 41-year-old veteran goalkeeper and his team, the Seattle Sounders, agreed to a one-year contract extension that keeps Keller, a U.S. soccer legend with strong ties to the Pacific Northwest, in Seattle for 2011.
No doubt Keller wanted one season to be part of the highly-anticipated three-way Cascadia rivalry that will feature the Sounders and the expansion Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. He expressed that as far back as the first time the USL Timbers and MLS Sounders faced each other, during the 2009 U.S. Open Cup tournament.
Keller was born in Olympia, Wash., between Seattle and Portland, played in college at the University of Portland and returned home after a distinguished career in Europe to mind the net for the Sounders in time for their first MLS season, 2009.
"In these two years with the Sounders, I've been very happy with the form of myself and the team. Throw in the fact that Portland and Vancouver are coming into the league, and there was no question that I wanted to play one last season," Keller said in a statement from the Sounders. "My mind's great, my body feels great and so I feel this can be a great and successful season for the Sounders and myself."
Keller has twice captained the Sounders and been a two-time MLS All-Star. He rebounded from a couple of ineffective performances early last season to finish second in MLS in shutouts with 11 and wins with 14. Keller is believed to have a position with the team waiting for him when he decides to hang up the gloves, which he told the Associated Press will be after the 2011 season.
Keller said he hopes to help the Sounders win an MLS Cup in his final professional season.
"Kasey only wanted to come back if he was playing at or near the top of his game," Sounders co-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer said of Keller. "He is still quick, still a great shot-stopper and a great organizer in the back. And as great as he has been on the field, he has been an even greater ambassador for Sounders FC and the game. We are happy to have him back with us in 2011."
What do you think? Can the Sounders contend for an MLS Cup with Keller in 2011? Does Keller still have "it?" Share your thought below.
North Thurston HS (where Keller went to HS): 600 Sleater Kinney Rd. NE Lacey, WA 98506. Nothing to debate.
Away fans in Mexico were doing that. [Sentence formulation fail by Prostamerica]
cmon guys, not hard to look this stuff up. He was born in Olympia and also went to high school there.
Meh. Could have said the same thing about McBride, or Lewis, or Moreno, or…
“nned” has nothing to do with it.
Couldn’t agree more. My apologies on the drink and cheers to you too.
Hahnemann in 2012?
Bottom line, kasey keller has had a phenomenal career at home and abroad and deserves another contract even if he is over the hill a bit. his leadership trumps 90% of the guys playing today and his legacy will go down in soccer history
Wow! Personally? Really?
I saw the screwup live. No question, but did it really sour you on his value to the usmnt?
After seeing his blunder in Mexico, i’ve hated the man, personally.
Ooooh, I thought SSFC was getting Friedel (sp?) potentially?
Second, I was drinking bourbon when I read your post. Almost blew it out my nose as I read (painful)! Not that I disagree! There is only 1 special k, but his kicks make me cringe too! Great in the box but has lost the leg. What a leader though. He has the very powerful ability to practically will his team to perform. Arcane, yes, but still true. This move might be questioned by MLS observers, but he’s still a quality keeper. Cheers!
I have been rooting for him so long, it almost doesn’t seem possible it is coming to an end.
He needs to be holding the MLS Cup at the end of it all.
I swear his goal kicks make me squeamish.
Special K looks like he’s going to dislocate a hip and shred his hamstring everytime.
i didn’t realize sep blatter posted on SBI
My god i hate Seattle Sounders but how can you not love Kasey Keller? Shoud have started in 1994 .. our #1 for so many years. It will be great to see him 1 more time at PPL. We will give him a proper sendoff. USA !
Dougs:
I have asked about this way more than I ever thought. My understanding is he is Olympia born and raised, went to HS in Lacey.
I could be mistaken but I think he was born in Lacey, WA, just north of Olympia. That is where they have a street named after him anyway.
Triple GayBow..Lol.
So he does want urine thrown on him?
Glad to see Keller will be back in Shittle one more time. Just gives our boys two final chances to beat him.
Actually thought getting Sietz was a move to replace Keller, surprised they traded him to Dallas, but then again Sala does really suck.
Portland, Seattle and Vancouver = triple rainbow.