My SI.com editor Jonah Freedman chimes in with a nice story on Kasey Keller's interest in pursuing an MLS career.
Keller is practically begging Real Salt Lake to take him once his deal this summer is over. Keller has never played in MLS before - like Claudio Reyna - and could be signed with the new designated player rule, like Reyna. RSL has its slot open -though Freddy Adu will have to be grandfathered in next year.
What's interesting is that Keller wants to settle down and plant some roots. His kids have been to three schools and Keller wants something a bit more permanent than that. He wants to be close to his Washington state roots and family but it sounds like his options are open at this point.
If Salt Lake bungles this one - and history suggests that they could - a team that should look long and hard at Kasey Keller is Houston. Pat Onstad is old - oldest player in MLS actually. Keller also won't be around for just another season or so. He's still going strong with the USMNT and will probably want to stay at top form in the hopes of prolonging his national team career as long as possible. And Houston is backed by AEG which won't haggle with a few dollars if it means their club would benefit.
6 comments:
Keller is a legend, no doubt about it. But, can you really see an MLS squad using one of it's DP slots and all that cap space on a goalkeeper?
Keller is a legend, no doubt.
But, can you really expect an MLS squad to use up a valuable DP slot and all that cap space on a 'keeper?
I'll tackle both questions head-on :)
Yes. When the 'keeper's name is Kasey Keller, yes.
Right now, Keller would be the best goalkeeper in MLS. Next year, he'd still be the best goalkeeper in MLS. I don't know that there is that much young talent that's ready to play. When Scott Garlick suddenly retired on RSL, they had to scramble for Nick Rimando back because they didn't have enough faith in Chris Seitz. For as good as Zach Wells' prospects are, the Red Bulls traded him away and went with Tony Meola and had to look abroad for goalkeeping help after Meola was done.
I don't see how Houston or Salt Lake wouldn't be interested in Keller.
NYRB managements decision on Wells means nothing to me. He has played well about every time I've seen him (quite well in the Champion's Cup filling in for Onstad). He's been capped already. Best of all he'll fit under your cap for just under 6 figures while Keller wants at least 3 times that! But I do like the idea of Keller tutoring Wells with Onstad going to Toronto (not sold on Sutton yet).
Judging by the Champion's Cup games earlier this year, Zach Wells is ready to be a solid GK in the MLS right now. In fact, many of us in Houston have been slightly disappointed that Onstad is healthy again and is starting.
If I had to choose between Keller as a DP or a withdrawn forward DP to replace Dalglish/Moreno (with Wells in goal), I'd completely go with the forward.
I don't understand if he wants to come home so badly, why not take the pay cut. 100-200k range seems like a more realistic number for MLS teams to spend on a gk, best in the league or not. He would be a great player for sure, but in the salary cap tied league, there is no way you DP a goalie. It's just simple business logic.
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