Call it a sentimental pick if you like, but it was tough to give this week's SBI MLS Player of the Week award to anybody but Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
Not only did Keller help draw a crowd of more than 64,000 to CenturyLink Field to see the final regular season home game of his illustrious career, but the 42-year-old goalkeeper made a plethora of clutch saves with his Seattle Sounders trailing San Jose. Those saves, including a four-save flurry in the 65th minute, helped pave the way for a late Sounders comeback capped by a Freddy Montero game-winning goal in the 87th minute to give Seattle a 2-1 victory.
Keller beat out a list of worthy candidates that included Columbus Crew striker Andres Mendoza, Chicago defender Gonzalo Segares, Sporting KC forward Teal Bunbury and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando to name a few.
What did you think of Keller's performance? Who do you think deserved this week's award?
Share your thoughts below.
Ream?
They should have shown the highlight on the LA/Chivas game on ESPN.
Clearly you guys know nothing about defeating a troll.
I am still not sure which was more amazing the 4 save sequence he had or the finger tip save. Both were spectacular, although I think his ability to maintain his composure and not get out of position during the 4 save sequence was astonishing.
In answer to the question about how old Keller is. Kasey Keller was born on November 29, 1969. So ‘Old Man Keller’, which I say with great affection, as of right now is 41 years, 10 months and 19 days old.
I think that I’ll go ahead and say that he is 42 years old, because if you think about, right now he is living and experiencing his 42nd year of life which is just about wrapped up.
Some side trivia about November 29, 1969. Mariano Rivera the baseball save machine was also born on this date. Were the stars aligned just right on that day or were they not?
completely agree with this statement. the four saves were great but that point blank header save down low was extremely impressive.
BEAST !! nuff said. – Sounders til’ I die –
I hadn’t seen the highlights yet, so I watched em. Wow Jessie, you couldn’t be worse at this. Keller looked amazing, that quad save was legendary, and the goal clearly onside.
And don’t go claiming it’s because he was offside, because the replay very clearly showed he was on.
Maybe because you misspelled his name? 😉
Why do you figure Montero’s goal wasn’t legit?
Yep, not good enough. Not good enough for England, Spain, Germany, USMNT either. Really not good enough for 20+ years. Man, does he have all of us fooled!
The save on the header in the first have may have been if better. I am not sure how he was able to keep that out with only his fingers hitting the ball.
This is pure comedy. Very nice.
Keller 100% earned it. His career, his game, all earned it.
Kaaaaaa-seeeeeeeey Keeeeeel-leeeeeer !
The stadium is still echoing from the cheers for the 4-save legend !
Ianni must get some credit for setting up San Jose on that 4 shot sequence. There are few CAM’s who could’ve have done better.
He needed the so-called “amazing” multi-save because he wasn’t good enough to save it outright any of the first 3 times.
Also, yet another journo turning a blind eye to the fact Montero’s goal wasn’t legit.
Didn’t see the match live but the replay of his multi-save was AMAZING. While it could have been a sentimental pick, Keller went ahead and earned it anyway.
Also have to comment that even giving up the PK I support Seagares as an honorable mention . . . responsible for 3 goals in 6 minutes!
thought it was great to read about former USMNT’ers he played with who came to the game to show their respect and were blown away by the 64,000+
I know he’ll be around soccer after he’s hung up the gloves, but haven’t quite accepted he won’t be between the sticks next year given that he’s playing at a really good level still.
Casey you guys won why do you look so annoyed.
The 4 save sequence was brilliant! That alone deserved the Player of the Week, but he did more then that. It was a brilliant performance minus the lapse from JKH and Ianni. We were missing Parke. BUT he deserves it! Keller is the man.
He’s 41.
that 4-save sequence was just ridiculous. If that’s not save of the week, I don’t know what is
Great pick. That four-save sequence was great. Love that Keller was completely gassed afterwards. 🙂
A class act and much-deserving of the crowd and ovation he received. Kudos to SSFC and their fans.
#Legend
Im sure people will accuse me of being sentimental when I say he should be ‘keeper of the year but look at his numbers. The guy is a machine,even at 42yrs of age.
There needs to be a brick wall put in front of CLink in his honor.
Joe Roth, who knows a thing or two about movies, asked after the match during the Kellerthon “Who was writing Kasey’s scripts?” He’s had individual saves that were more impressive, but that was the most I’ve seen him do in a single match. The four save sequence was a flashback to 98 against Brazil.
Anyway, even if it feels like sentiment given the fact that we were sainting him that very night, he really did play that well.
One of the greatest USMNTers ever. Class, class, class. Call it the lifetime achievement award.
The four-fer wins Save of the Week for sure — maybe Save of the Year as well?
Sentimental pick 😛
jkjk