Former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper and four-time FIFA World Cup veteran Kasey Keller, who closed out a 19-year international career with the Seattle Sounders three seasons ago, has been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame along with Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid (builder) and the late Glenn “Mooch” Myernick (veteran).
Keller, one of the most successful goalkeepers in U.S. history, played 102 games for USMNT between 1990 and 2007. He participated in FIFA World Cups in 1990, 1998, 2002 and 2006, and is USA’s all-time leader in shutouts with 47. Keller is a first-ballot inductee.
“It’s a great honor,” Keller said. “You look at some of the guys that have been elected before; it’s not an easy process. It’s not like it’s an open-door policy. It’s cool to be voted in. I really saw it first-hand, when I was able to speak on (Brian) McBride’s behalf, of how cool it is.
“I’m proud and thankful for the people that helped get me to that point throughout my career: teammates, coaches, friends, family. It’s kind of a culmination of what you’ve done and how you got there and all the people that helped you get to get to that point, so I’m thankful for that.”
A two-time U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year, Keller was the first American goalkeeper to become a regular in the Bundesliga, the English Premier League and La Liga. He played for a variety of European clubs, including Millwall (1992-96), Leicester City (1996-99), Rayo Vallecano (1998-01), Tottenham Hotspur (2001-05), Borussia Monchengladbach (2005-07) and Fulham (2007-08).
Keller concluded his career with the Sounders from 2009-11, when he retired as defending MLS Goakeeper of the Year.
Schmid enters the HOF on the builder ballot after 35 years of collecting numerous championships at the collegiate and professional levels. He is the winningest coach in MLS history and, since 2009, has led the Sounders to four U.S. Open Cup titles and directed playoff teams every year.
“I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for this incredible honor, as this is certainly right up there with the top moments I’ve experienced in this sport,” said Schmid. “I am honored to be inducted alongside Kasey Keller, who is a Seattle soccer icon.”
Myernick, who died Oct. 5, 2005, will enter the Hall of Fame on the veteran ballot as a soccer pioneer who represented the U.S. at every level as a player, coach and contributor.
2 Comments
Both well deserved
Agreed. Both definitely belong.
There are a few people with Seattle connections already in this HOF like Al Trost, Michelle Akers, old-timers Tom Webb, Barney Kempton, and both Eddie Craggs and his son George; while Tacoma has ties with Preki, Ricky Davis and Bruce Arena. I wonder if Jeff Durgan or the late Mark Peterson will get in someday.