Name: Kasey Keller

Date of Brith: 29/11/1969

Country: United States

Club: Bor. M gladbach

Position: Goal Keeper

Number: 18

Caps: 91

Goals: -

Veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller has been one of the most consistent performers for the United States over the course of his long career as well as a pioneer in the often harsh world of European football.

In 16 years as one of the United States� most-trusted performers, Keller has made over 90 appearances � and amassed more than 40 clean sheets. Since bursting onto the scene at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1989, Keller has enjoyed successful stints with clubs in England, Spain and Germany and become one of the most respected US footballers of all time. At 36, he is playing as well as ever, displaying lightning reflexes and impeccable positional sense.

Keller was born in November 1969 and grew up on a farm in Olympia, Washington. After graduating from Portland University he embarked on a professional career in England, joining second-tier club Millwall. By the 1992/3 season, he had become the team�s first choice keeper and missed just three league games over the following four years. In August 1996 he was sold to Leicester City, where he remained for three seasons and tasted victory in the English League Cup.

Rayo Vallecano tempted Keller to Spain for the start of the 1999/2000 season as extra cover for their return to the top flight. He made 28 league appearances in his first term in Madrid as Rayo finished ninth in the table but faced stiff competition for a starting place from Julen Lopetegui. After completing his second season in Spain he was on the move again, returning to England to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2001.

After three full seasons at White Hart Lane, Keller was briefly loaned out to Southampton in November 2004 but appeared just four times before Borussia Monchengladbach came in for him during the January transfer window. Keller was revitalised by the fresh start in a new country � not to mention living in a German castle with his wife and children � and agreed a contract extension in February this year that will tie him to the Bundesliga club until June 2007.

Keller made his international debut on 4 February 1990 against Colombia and was back-up to Tony Meola at Italia 90. He missed out on place in the squad for USA 94 but was first-choice four years later in France where he appeared in all three of the Americans first-round matches. He then travelled with Bruce Arena�s side to Korea/Japan 2002 but was kept out of the side by Brad Friedel.

One of the greatest moments of his career came after a 1-0 win over Brazil in 1998 when legendary striker Romario � stumped time and again by the American keeper � remarked: �That is the best performance by a goalkeeper I have ever seen in a match that I have played in.�

And Keller is still going strong. He was named US Footballer of the Year for 2005 - for a record third time - after a string of dominant performances between the posts saw him keep five successive clean sheets in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He also played an important role for an inexperienced US side as they claimed their third CONCACAF Gold Cup in the summer of 2005.

He can be confident of a starting position at Germany 2006 and, although the oldest member of the squad, will likely have a big role to play for the North Americans.

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