12/22/24
August 23, 2007
Kasey Keller signs for Fulham: Pretty soon the American takeover of Fulham Football Club will be complete.
Keller has been playing in the Bundesliga for Borussia Moenchengladbach. I think I heard once that "playing in the Bundesliga for Borussia Moenchengladbach" is the number one reason soccer marriages end in divorce.
posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 01:05 PM on August 23, 2007
I thought that was just a metaphor for something ... naughty. So it's starting to feel like American keepers are like Finnish hockey goalies, or Korean women golfers. It feels like there's a glut of good ones out there now. It's almost a cliche to mention it. Frankly, I think it's a great thing.
posted by chicobangs at 01:17 PM on August 23, 2007
We Americans have been shown to have a fabulous accumen for keeping the ball out of the net ... unfortunately at all positions ... especially forward.
posted by Ricardo at 01:24 PM on August 23, 2007
Good one, Ricardo. Funny, I was pleasantly surprised to find out Hahnemann was an American, especially after his heroic display against Man U. Where do all these goalies - Keller (who had a stint with Spurs) and Friedel (a former Liverpool keeper) are the first who come to mind - come from? (I mean, which academies or high schools, etc.?)
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:45 PM on August 23, 2007
Where do all these goalies - Keller (who had a stint with Spurs) and Friedel (a former Liverpool keeper) are the first who come to mind - come from? don't forget Tim Howard.
posted by goddam at 02:10 PM on August 23, 2007
Where do all these goalies...come from? They come from some crazy country where sports are played with your hands.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 03:49 PM on August 23, 2007
So it's starting to feel like American keepers are like Finnish hockey goalies... Throw a ball to a small American child and he or she will catch it. Throw it to a child from another part of the world and they will kick it. Or what Texan said.
posted by scully at 04:46 PM on August 23, 2007
How old is Kasey Keller? I watched that guy play at Civic Stadium when I was still poopy-pantsed and Kool-Aid lipped.
posted by everett at 08:11 AM on August 24, 2007
Last week?
posted by tommybiden at 08:59 AM on August 24, 2007
everett, 40 give or take. I think he only got signed because of Niemi's injury and Warner's lack of quality; there weren't other top flight sides knocking his door down otherwise that I read about.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:10 PM on August 24, 2007
He's 37. Past his prime, perhaps, but not out of gas just yet.
posted by chicobangs at 06:15 PM on August 24, 2007
I think Peter Shilton (England) and Dino Zoff (Italy) played at international level (even World Cup) when they were 40. I wouldn't be surprised to see goalies at top levels going past that, given today's training and medical facilities (and better rules about protecting the goalies).
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:57 AM on August 25, 2007
The joint Northern Ireland/US National team...