Kasey Keller

US rest their Kase with Keller

Kasey Keller a goalie for the US National Soccer team, watches his team while plays with the ball at the Daegu World Cup Stadium 09 June 2002, during their daily practice session one day before they will face South Korea. The US, who defeated Portugal in their first game of their group D, will play South Korea. AFP PHOTO Roberto SCHMIDT

Veteran Kasey Keller has played at all levels around the world in a sparkling career and will be a pillar in goal as the United States attempt to improve in Germany on their quarter-final performance at the last World Cup in Asia.

The powerfully built and popular shot-stopper has spent most of his 15-year career in Europe after making an impression during the late eighties on the West Coast of the United States at the University of Portland.

An indication of his character and temperament is that his first European destination was East London's Millwall in 1990, an intimidating debut that Keller quickly tamed in the 'Den' where he became a crowd favourite during six seasons and was named player of the year in 1993.

US goalie Kasey Keller (R) stops the attack of Chilean Ivo Basay 08 July during their Copa America match in Paysandu, Uruguay. Chile lost 1-2 to the US team. AFP PHOTO

He was already one of the elite American goalkeepers in the early nineties and went to his first World Cup as a reserve to Tony Meola in 1990, although he didn't get his gloves on the starting job until 1995.

At club level the great coach Martin O'Neill introduced Keller to the higher echelons of the English league and he took his reputation to new heights at unfashionable Leicester City in 1996.

The club gained promotion to the Premiership and in 1997, the team won the League Cup, knocking out Manchester United along the way before finally seeing off Middlesbrough 1-0 in a replay.

Move to Monchengladbach

He currently plays for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany after leaving Leicester for the warmer climate of Rayo Vallencano in Madrid in 1999 before former England manager Glenn Hoddle signed him for Tottenham Hotspur and a return to England's top flight.

His spell at White Hart Lane began brightly but the arrival of England international Paul Robinson relegated the married father of two to the bench and he was soon packing his bags again, this time for a four-game loan spell at Southampton before he left for Germany.

Much debate was made of Arena's rotation policy leading up to the 2002 World Cup between Keller and Brad Friedel, but when he picked up a slight injury leading up to the tournament, Friedel seized his opportunity building on the shock opening defeat of Portugal to sparkle in the run to the last eight.

US goalkeeper Kasey Keller stops a shot in regulation time against Panama during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final 24 July 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The US won the tournament in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a scoreless draw through extra-time. AFP PHOTO/Don EMMERT

With Friedel now retired from the international game and Manchester United's Tim Howard struggling to find first-team football, Keller has his first real chance at making a serious impact at the World Cup.

The US are banking on his experience and ability to drive them forward and the US are now serious contenders on the world stage.