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Often called the greatest goalkeeper produced in the United States, Keller spent the first 16 seasons of his professional career playing in three of Europe’s top leagues: English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s Bundesliga. A three-time recipient of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award (1997, 1999 and 2005) and a two-time All-America at the University of Portland (1988-91), Keller turned pro in 1992 and made his professional debut on May 2 of that year with Millwall of the English First Division. After playing nearly two decades overseas, the Olympia native returned to the United States in late 2008 to finish his career with the new Seattle Sounders FC. He produced a notable first year as he helped lead Sounders FC to a victory in the U.S. Open Cup and a berth in the MLS playoffs. Keller also became an All-Star and helped sell out every home match at Qwest Field, as Sounders FC became the most successful expansion franchise in MLS history.
2010
- Only Sounder to start every league match (32) and logged a team-high 2,655 minutes (3,585 in all-competitions).
- Named MLS Inactive All-Star.
- Earned first MLS assist on Fredy Montero’s game-winning goal vs. Houston on Aug. 8.
- Recorded a season-high nine saves at Philadelphia on June 27 and made two stops in a penalty shootout at Portland in the U.S. Open Cup on June 30.
- Surpassed his 2009 total with 11 shutouts in league play.
- Earned Save of the Year in the MLS for stop against Kansas City at Qwest Field on April 17.
- Ranked eighth overall among MLS goalkeepers with a 1.15 goals against average.
2009
- Started 31 games, posting a record of 12 victories, seven losses and 12 draws, while recording 11 clean sheets (shutouts) and 100 saves.
- In MLS games only, made 29 starts, had 10 shutouts, 78 saves and allowed 26 goals for a 0.92 goals against average.
- 0.92 GAA ranked No. 2 in the league to the 0.87 by Zach Thornton of Chivas USA.
- Selected to start in goal at the MLS All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.
- Selected Major League Soccer Player of the Week on March 30.
- Helped lead the Sounders to victory in the U.S. Open Cup, a multi-match, season-long competition that ended on Sept. 2.
- Set an MLS record for most minutes without a goal allowed to start a season (shutout streak came to an end on May 2, 2009, at 457 minutes in the second half of a game against the Chicago Fire.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (INTERNATIONAL)
- Began his professional career in 1989 with the Portland Timbers, and has played for Millwall (1992-96), Leicester City (1996-99), Rayo Vallecano (1999-01), Tottenham Hotspur (2001-05), Southampton (2004), Borussia Monchengladbach (2005-07) and Fulham (2007-08).
- One of just two Americans (also Claudio Reyna) selected to four U.S. World Cup rosters.
- First American goalkeeper to become a regular in both the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League.
- Selected U.S. Male Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1997, 1999 and 2005.
- With 102 appearances, is the most capped goalkeeper in U.S. soccer history.
- Served as a backup goalie (to Tony Meola) at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
- Started three matches for the 1996 U.S. national team at the Olympics (posted a record of 1-1-1).
- Played in two matches for the U.S. in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
- Signed with the English club, Millwall, in 1992 and was voted by fans as the Lions’ Player of the Year in 1992-93.
- Transferred to Leicester City in 1996, for a fee of $1.45 million, after Millwall was relegated to the second division.
- Helped lead Leicester City to the 1997 League Cup title and to the 1999 League Cup final, then left the club for the Spanish team Rayo Vallecano, where he spent two seasons.
- Signed with Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League in 2001 and played every minute for the Spurs in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
- Joined the German side Borussia Monchengladbach on Jan. 15, 2005 on a free transfer, and captained the club in 2006-07, becoming the second American, following Claudio Reyna, to captain a top-level German team.
- Signed with Fulham in 2007, and alternated with Antti Niemi as the club’s starting goalkeeper.
- Was in goal for Fulham when it defeated Portsmouth 1-0 on the final day of the season to avoid relegation.
- Played perhaps his greatest international match in 1998 in a USA 1-0 victory over Brazil, in which Keller played all 90 minutes and recorded 10 saves.
PERSONAL / MISCELLANEOUS
- Grew up on an egg farm in Olympia and attended the University of Portland, where he played soccer under Clive Charles.
- Selected first-team All-America as a senior in 1991, the year he was named Adidas Goalkeeper of the Year.
- In 1989, played for the Portland Timbers of the Western Soccer Alliance (named the league’s Most Valuable Player).
- Won the Silver Ball award as the co-outstanding player in the 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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