New Keller Interview

[Sachsen]

http://www.n24.de/sport/fussball/wm-2006/index.php/n2006041910092700002

Keller's thoughts on playing in Germany, planning for the World Cup, how to get out of the first round, life on the chicken farm, heavy metal, etc. etc.

Translation next post.

[Sachsen]

US Keeper Keller celebrates the World Cup with heavy metal

It's been a long time since the fans of Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach first fell in love with Kasey Keller. The 36-year-old American is not only an outstanding goalkeeper, he is also always looking to have a little fun. An unforgettable scene took place in October after the 4-1 home victory against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, as Keller first caught and hoisted up the Borussia mascot Jünter, and then slammed him to the turf in the finest US-wrestling style.

On June 9, Keller will be standing in goal for the US Men's National Team in a World Cup for the third time -- this time in his new home of Germany. "It will feel very familiar. It is nice to know, that you'll know the stadiums, that you've already played there, that you'll feel comfortable in your surroundings," he said in an interview with the Netzeitung.

Netzeitung: Mr. Keller, the regular club season will finally come to an end in the middle of May. How then will the US team prepare itself from that point on for the World Cup?

Kasey Keller: In May we're going to come together for a training camp in Cary, North Carolina, before we return to Germany on June 1. In our World Cup base camp in Hamburg, we will continue with another short training camp.

Q: You know the German stadiums in the Bundesliga in and out. Will the World Cup be a type of "home game" for you?

Keller: It will feel very familiar. It is nice to know, that you'll know the stadiums, that you've already played there, that you'll feel comfortable in your surroundings. I got a little taste of that when we played against Poland in Kaiserslautern on March 1. We felt very comfortable and won 1-0. Of course, we're talking here ultimately about a minor thing, but sometimes the little things make a big difference.

Q: Do you have friends and family planning to come to Germany to see you play in the World Cup?

Keller: There are so many people who want to come! Unfortunately I still don't know how many tickets I'm going to get. That's a big mess because naturally the people have to get their plans in order for the trip to Europe, for example, get vacation time off work and book flights. I'm playing in the World Cup but still can't tell my friends whether I can get tickets for them!

Q: Do you have any advice for your friends on what to see in Germany?

Keller: They don't need any advice. Many of them are traveling here knowing that there's a chance they won't actually see any of the games live. They still want to be here, to share the experience with me and to simply enjoy the atmosphere. They'll just watch the games in some bar or restaurant. Actually, maybe I CAN give them a few tips in that department! I'm sure that they'll all have fun on their trip.

Q: Back to the game: the US team was drawn into a very tough opening round group, with Ghana, Italy, and the Czech Republic. I'm assuming your first choice would be to beat all three teams and win the group, but is that realistic?

Keller: There's a very small chance that you could advance with only four points, but I think you can only be sure of getting to the next round with at least five. Five points -- that's exactly what our goal has to be. Therefore, giving all due respect to our opponents, we simply have to at least beat one of them and tie the other two.

Q: It was just six weeks ago that the German national team had the unfortunate experience of losing 1-4 to Italy...

Keller: That was just one of those days, when nothing works out for you.

Q: Jens Lehmann had to watch the ball go past him four times. Now be honest, would you have been able to stop any of the four goals?

Keller: Honestly, Jens Lehmann couldn't do anything about them. I don't think I would have been able to stop them either.

Q: Three weeks later, the US team lost 1-4 against Germany in Dortmund, with an understandably young team due to circumstances out of your control. Does that mean that only your starting eleven are ready for the World Cup?

Keller: That was a date when we couldn't have most of our Europe-based players with us. It was a big advantage for the Germans that Bruce Arena had to play several unexperienced players. And to be honest, there aren't many National teams who have TWO world quality sides, with the exception of probably Brazil. It is hard enough to be successful with your first team. People saw that in the 2002 World Cup in Asia. France, despite being defending champions, didn't even get a goal in the first round even though their team was packed with stars.

Q: In the USA, the biggest stars play [American] football or basketball. You grew up on a chicken farm in Washington. Did growing up on a farm make a difference in your life?

Keller: I loved life on the farm. It gave me a very good work ethic. There is work to be done around on the clock on the farm. My parents of course didn't treat me like a slave, but I certainly had to pitch in. While my classmates were enjoying their four week summer vacation, I was still helping with the work four hours a day. My workday began at 8:00 am and ended at 1:00 pm, then I was free to play with my friends. That's what taught me responsibility.

Q: It definitely had to have helped you become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Can you tell us who you currently think is the absolute #1 at your position?

Keller: That's impossible to answer. There's a group of very good keepers -- from Peter Cech to Oliver Kahn to Jens Lehmann to Gianluigi Buffon. The World Cup will show who's at the top of their game. It would naturally be nice for me to be at the top of my game too, to help our team through this "Hammer group" [note: Hammergruppe? Not sure what Keller must have said there.]

Q: You are a big music fan. Let's assume the US team wins the World Cup and there's a huge team party. If you were the DJ what music would you be playing?

Keller: There's no chance of me being the DJ. My teammates wouldn't let me play my music at a party under any circumstance.

Q: Why not?

Keller: I'm a huge heavy metal fan. There are a few guys on the team who like it too, but the rest of the team doesn't exactly go for hard music. I like to listen to Slipknot and Slayer. I don't think most of the players' wives would like that too much.

[Golazo]

I'm fairly certain that I would give up a kidney to be Kasey Keller.

[nyrmetros]

Keller is certainly the man. Metal and USA soccer. great combo.

[rocketeer22]

I don't have a background in German, but 'hammergruppe' does appear in searches. Maybe it is equivalent to 'Group of Death'?

[Hosscat]

I feel really fortunate to have tickets now.... Even Keller's family and friends don't have tickets yet. The USSF must have lost his application.