FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

It is a long way from Lacey, Washington, to the World Cup finals, but it is a trip United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller will be making for the third time this summer.

The former University of Portland goalkeeper, now an established English Premiership star with Leicester City, was a squad member at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and then played when his country hosted the event in 1994.

Keller and Liverpool ‘keeper Brad Freidel will be duelling for a starting role at France 98. While there is considerable optimism in the American camp, Keller warns that building a team of players based in different countries and with different attitudes is a difficult assignment. “The US squad is made up of players coming from different backgrounds and it is difficult as we are not playing with each other day in, day out,” Keller said.

Keller was completing a degree in sociology when Millwall offered him the chance to play professionally in England. Keller, not one to be thwarted by a challenge, decided to complete his degree by correspondence and has spent the past few years shuttling between Leicester and his national team commitments. The tall, imposing goalkeeper was tempted to return home to play in the fledgling Major League Soccer competition when it was launched three seasons ago, but elected instead to stay with Leicester. He has helped the club become a mid-table fixture in the English Premiership.

Keller now sees is future with Leicester, but will eventually return to the States. “I have a couple more World Cups in me, a few more seasons in Europe and then I I think it will be time for me to return home and help out with my experience.” For now Keller is one of the best known and popular American players. He captained the 1996 Olympic squad, was runner-up in the 1997 Player of the Year awards and Player of the tournament at this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He showed he has not lost his edge with a superb performance in the Gold Cup, making a series of brilliant saves in the United States’ stunning 1-0 semi-final victory over world champions Brazil. “That was the greatest performance I’ve ever seen by a goalkeeper,” said Romario after the game. Praise indeed.