Kasey Keller, Return to MLS?

Interesting article on ESPN on line today(link below)

Here is a partial quote, "Keller could sign tomorrow if he were willing to accept a pittance. But why should he martyr himself? Keller says he has had informal conversations with several MLS clubs, including some tire-kicking and casual discussions last January. But his most recent substantive talks came with Real Salt Lake back in 2004.

"It always seems to start off very positive," he said. "And then, somehow, it doesn't continue. ... I'm not expecting to make what I'm making in Europe. But I'm also not expecting to come back here and make what some guy who is 22 and hasn't proved anything is making." "

It doesn't seem like anyone wants to pay him even in the top MLS GK salary range for whatever reason. Seems to me that he could still be a really special and major force in anchoring a defense for most any team.
Serious question: Is the MLS overall GKeeping currently at such a high level, that KK wouldn't immediately greatly elevate several team's goalkeeper position?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...broad25&cc=5901

Sure, KK's better than most if not all MLS keepers, but the ones we have are all pretty good--and I suspect most teams would rather spend their limited funds on forward players who have a better chance of helping the team win games. And how many fans come to soccer matches just to watch the goalkeeper?

My guess is Kasey will come home when his kids are older, when an MLS team really wants him (e.g. an expansion team in the Northwest, if one ever happens), and when he has no good options for first-class play in Europe.

Some good points, W. However, having a GK who can come up with the regular shut out is most certainly a way of helping the team win. Maybe it's even a better way than what any single forward in the MLS would bring to the table.

But, yes, most fans come to watch flashy players, not goalkeeping.

I'm with Winslow completely on this. As long as there is a salary cap in place in the league then I think we'll continue to see MLS teams put their priority in using what money is available to them in signing field players a not goalkeepers to big money contracts. While MLS' current goalies aren't outstanding they're decent enough and the teams can get away with paying this group of goalies smaller salaries. A player like Keller who can command much more money will always have more lucrative options elsewhere.

Although I do think it is incorrect in saying goalies can't win you games. A few key saves here or there and you can record several more victories. And DC's Perkins just showed a golaie can certainly lose a game for you too!

Well, men, I think Bruce Arena kind of made my point not too long ago, although not with KK:

<<Former Dutch national team goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus signed with the New York Red Bulls, the Major League Soccer club announced.

Waterreus helped PSV Eindhoven to Dutch titles in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2003 during a 10-season career before stays at Manchester City of the English Premiership and Glasgow Rangers.

"We've added a goalkeeper with a lot of experience," Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena said. "We are hopeful he will assume a leadership role in the locker room which will be beneficial to us."

Waterreus, 36, joins countryman Dave van den Bergh, obtained in a deal with Kansas City earlier this month, on the Red Bulls roster.>>

Keller is free to sign wherever he wants now as Monchengladbach announced they won't re-sign him when his contract is up next month. Whether he wants to come to MLS for a likely pay cut is another story as a 37 year old goalie could probably sign on as an experienced backup for more money somewhere in Europe.

Keller would help any team in MLS but I don't think any league club willw nat to pay him what he wants, or could still get in Europe. It then will come down to whether he wants to take a pay cut to return home or stay a year or two more in Europe. It'll be an interesting choice facing Keller.

There in lies the rub. Does he want to be a backup for more money, or come home for less money, but a starting role?

At this point, I could see a MLS club signing him as a player/coach. Can't really say whether or not he'd make a good GK coach, but would be a way for a MLS team to offer him a little more money.

Kasey Keller done wonders for Millwall and Leicester City. He's a folk hero at Millwall, especially after Millwall beat Chelsea in the 4th Round Of the FA Cup in 1995 by Penalty Shoot Out.