Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com
Kasey Keller's legendary playing career is winding down, and the expected crowd of more than 60,000 that will salute him at CenturyLink Field for his regular-season home finale Saturday night is a testament to what he's meant to the city of Seattle and U.S. Soccer as a whole.
At 41, Keller is retiring at the end of this season despite still performing at a very high level. Prior to playing in MLS, Keller's career took him on a European tour of three of the biggest leagues in the world, with stops at Leicester City, Rayo Vallecano, Tottenham, Borussia Monchengladbach and Fulham highlighting his 16-year career overseas.
Following his homecoming to Washington and signing with the Sounders ahead of their inaugural MLS season 2009, Keller won three U.S. Open Cups and has helped the Sounders to the postseason in their three years of MLS existence. He is seeking to go out on top with an MLS Cup title prior to hanging up his cleats and gloves, but regardless, his career has been one of the greatest for a U.S. player ever.
As a goalkeeper for the U.S. national team, Keller earned 102 caps and was named U.S. Soccer's Athlete of the Year three times.
Despite performing in World Cups and winning Gold Cups and turning countless Man of the Match performances, Keller's most memorable showing may have come in the 1998 Gold Cup semifinals, with his 10-save performance that guided the United States to a famous 1-0 triumph over Brazil.
Highlights of Keller's heroics from the day can be seen here.
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What's game, save or overall performance sticks out for you from Keller's career? Where do you think he ranks among all-time U.S. goalkeepers? Do you think he'll retire as an MLS Cup champion?
Share your thoughts below.
