Kasey Keller, the long-time soccer goalkeeper who, after playing professional soccer overseas for 16 years, returned home to play for Seattle Sounders FC from 2009 to 2011, will participate in the captain's coin toss before the men's collegiate soccer match between Seattle University and the University of Portland at Championship Field this Friday, Sept. 21.
The coin toss between the captains of Portland and Seattle U is scheduled to take place right before the 4 p.m. kickoff time. Portland leads the overall series against Seattle U, 18-5-1, with the tie coming in the last meeting between the Northwest rivals, a 1-1 draw on Sept. 26, 2010, also at Championship Field when the two teams agreed, just like this time, to move their match within the Husky Classic from the University of Washington.
Keller, originally from Olympia, Wash., played for the University of Portland from 1988 to 1991 and still holds the Pilot career records for lowest goals against average (0.64) and most shutouts (43). He allowed just seven goals in his freshman season of 1988 for a 0.33 GAA and 14.5 shutouts, and followed that with a sophomore season in which he earned 12.5 shutouts and allowed only nine goals for a 0.40 GAA. He was the Adidas Goalkeeper of the Year in 1991 and a two-time Hermann Trophy and M.A.C. Player of the Year Finalist (1990 and 1991).
Keller is a four-time FIFA World Cup participant and was the first American goalkeeper to become a regular in the German Bundesliga, the English Premier League, and the Spanish La Liga. When Seattle was granted an expansion MLS franchise, Keller signed with Seattle Sounders FC in August 2008 and played three seasons, helping the squad to three consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships. Keller is now the color analyst for the local broadcasts of Seattle Sounders FC matches.
Single-match tickets for Friday's match, as well as for all future Seattle U home soccer matches, are available at the front gate, located on the corner of 14th and Cherry, beginning 60 minutes before the listed start time for the match.