Sounders May Have Already Found Kasey Keller's Replacement: Michael Gspurning?

by Jeremiah Oshan on Oct 16, 2011 9:45 AM PDT in Sounders: Trades, Transfers and Rumors

UPDATE: Here's what Adrian Hanauer had to say about the rumors: "We know Michael well. He was in Seattle during the summer to visit and for meetings. He is definitely a player whom we like, but there is no contract in place at this time."

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The Seattle Sounders will be paying homage to Kasey Keller on Saturday, and it appears plans are already in the works to find his longterm replacement. A report out of Austria (h/t @CoulterChris) suggests the Sounders are in talks with Michael Gspurning, a 30-year-old goalkeeper currently playing in Greece who has three caps with the Austria national team.

Gspurning himself is quoted in the story saying that he was in town for four days earlier in the season and was impressed by what he saw. It sounds like he was particularly happy to have several German-speakers on the technical staff, including coach Sigi Schmid. GM Adrian Hanauer and assistant coach Brian Schmetzer also speak German fluently. Gspurning stopped short of saying he is coming to Seattle, but sounded reasonably optimistic that one might come:

"I would not be unhappy if a contract comes into existence."

Gspurning seems to be a pretty solid option, but could be on the expensive side. He has posted 31 shutouts in 89 Greek league matches and has a 1.09 goals against average. It would make sense for the Sounders to go in a direction like this as neither Josh Ford nor Bryan Meredith seem ready to take over fulltime goalkeeping duties for a team that will have aspirations of winning multiple cups. Further complicating matters is the unknown future of Terry Boss, who was forced to sit out the final few months of this season because of concussions.

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In b4 "I'd rather have Hahnemann"

by Aaron Campeau on Oct 15, 2011 11:24 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

ahhh the headlines

“Gspurning spurned by Hahnemann hopefuls!”

by nimajneb on Oct 15, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Hahaha.

by nicktjacob on Oct 16, 2011 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Is this the new...

FIRST!

by Derek Young on Oct 15, 2011 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I know exactly jack about Gspurning other than what's in this article and the link

and I know that Hahnemann is the popular choice, but honestly I’d rather have a solid 30-yr-old keeper with potentially several good seasons left in him than Hahnemann who probably only has a season or two at most left in the tank.

by Nevtelen on Oct 15, 2011 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs

This.

We already used up our short-term option in Keller. Doesn’t make sense replacing short-term with short-term.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Oct 15, 2011 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

100% agree

Short term replacement doesn’t seem like the way to go. It would be cool in principle to have another big name national team keeper as a replacement, but grabbing an established younger keeper we can hold onto for a long time seems more ideal.

by chrisperry1983 on Oct 15, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Google the dude...

there’s a ton of info available on him, including Youtube highlights.

by ballardiana on Oct 15, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

For those too busy or lazy to do so...

Here is a 2009/2010 top 5 saves reel….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t4zb3RPr_8

and Here is a highlight reel from the 2008/2009 season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoTKXUYQhTk

by Rougtan on Oct 15, 2011 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Transfermarkt gives him a transfer value at USD 2,497,500

Although, he would come here on a free after contract expiration, I suspect his salary would have to be in DP territory. He looks to be an ideal prospect though.

by Brougham Hooligan on Oct 15, 2011 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

can't imagine sounders making him a DP

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Oct 15, 2011 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Not a fan of a DP keeper

If Busch, Hartman, Ricketts, etc. are 100k-150k acquisitions, there’s no reason to spend that much money on a keeper.

by Tohoya on Oct 15, 2011 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

Right, if Keller wasn't a DP

I never want to see a DP keeper

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Oct 15, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I would agree on no DP for keeper as well as things stand now

I wonder if there are some new “rules” or other allocation money voodoo or other possible way that we could pay above the $335K w/no DP. The rules of MLS change so much year to year. Maybe we can get a special dispensation from Garber-baby due to our CCL group, etc.

by Brougham Hooligan on Oct 15, 2011 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, there is an allocation bonus for making the Groups and subsequent rounds of CCL

That’s in the rules

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Oct 15, 2011 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

One interesting not in that article is that...

he has been benched on his Greek club for a while now for refusing to engage in contract extension negotiations.

by RalfZakuani on Oct 15, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

He could

be using Seattle as a negotiation tactic with the Greek club. Sometimes the players do that to try to get more money from current club,

by gstommylee on Oct 15, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Another Article

http://sport10.at/home/fussball/international/701322/ExTeamgoalie-wechselt-in-die-USA

This one talks about the contract in even more past-tense, as-if-already-completed terms and notes the goalie is disappointed that his career never took off with the Austrian National team (3 caps). He is from Graz, hometown of Arnold Schwarzeneger.

by RalfZakuani on Oct 15, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Its possible

that he could come here but I’m not buying it at the moment.

by gstommylee on Oct 15, 2011 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

You don't say

by Robert on Oct 16, 2011 2:26 AM PDT up reply actions

This sounds like a great move by the FO

if it comes true. I wish that we could sign Hahnemann but it seems that we will most likely have to pay out the nose to get him because of allocation. This is a GK in his prime that has gotten sniffs from his National team. As long as he is in the 200k range this will be a great signing. Now for the FO to sign a ST and another FB and we will have filled our glaring holes for next season.

by Colin Johnson on Oct 15, 2011 1:05 PM PDT reply actions

Remember

seattle gave up a 3rd round pick to Chicago to land Ochoa.

by gstommylee on Oct 15, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Gotta love the litotes

I wonder if we’re in for more of that in postgame interviews. “We’re not displeased with our win tonight.”

by CarlosT on Oct 15, 2011 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

No mention of Terry Boss?

I know he’s not exactly a fan favorite, but he deserves a chance to come back from his injury and compete for a spot in next season’s training camp.

The SAH Links Guy

by Dizzo on Oct 15, 2011 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

I thought it was pretty much universally agreed that we're going after someone with greater skill to be #1

by RalfZakuani on Oct 15, 2011 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

deserves a chance to compete for what?

A spot on the roster? sure. But why should he be owed anything beyond that?

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Oct 15, 2011 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Just pointing out that Boss is not mentioned in the article and should be

The SAH Links Guy

by Dizzo on Oct 16, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

makes sense...

I just don’t think he’s really in the mix beyond depth.

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Oct 16, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed. Boss and OBW are two players who would be great for depth

But management should plan on neither being available when doing their off-season roster work.

by CMC_Stags on Oct 16, 2011 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

If the Sounders sign someone else to be #1,

it doesn’t prevent the Sounders from inviting Boss to camp in the spring to compete with Ford and Meredith.

by ubelmann on Oct 15, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Right, every team will have 4 keepers in camp

I’ve seen up to 6

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Oct 15, 2011 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Can someone clarify the transfer rules to MLS for me.

I’m pretty sure that Hanneman would have to go through the posting process but guys like Rosales and Gspurning didnt/dont.

Is it just US born players that have to go through posting?

by DaveValleDrinkNight on Oct 15, 2011 2:08 PM PDT reply actions

It's just current/former US National Team players I believe.

Could be wrong though.

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by c_dowley on Oct 15, 2011 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Allocation Order

Only applies to returning USMNT players, former or current, not internationals.

by eosrebel on Oct 15, 2011 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Ahh. It's all making sense now.

Thanks guys.

by DaveValleDrinkNight on Oct 15, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Why was Ochoa in Allocation?

n/t

by Blue Eyed Buddhist on Oct 15, 2011 2:36 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Played for U-20 & U-23 MNT

by Derek Young on Oct 15, 2011 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

For what it's worth

Many in the organization didn’t believe he should have gone through allocation either, but apparently MLS takes the term “US player pool” pretty loosely.

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Oct 16, 2011 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah, similar to...

some people think that Hahnemann wouldn’t have to be in allocation if he didn’t have any caps in the previous six months or so.

MLS rules, folks. Clear as mud.

by Blue Eyed Buddhist on Oct 16, 2011 1:49 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions

He would be among the tallest goalies in the league.

Looking at the MLS list of players, the tallest goalies are all 6’5", the only starter being Rost, and Gspurning is listed at both 1.97 and 1.95 m tall, which is 6’5.5" and 6’4.75". He looks quick too in his moves both high and low.

I know height isn’t everything, but that’s a big presence in goal.

by Jackington on Oct 15, 2011 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

Sure he's tall

but he has a full head of hair. I don’t know if I’m OK with that.

by moxieman on Oct 15, 2011 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs

haha.

I was watching that video and the whole time I was thinking “But, he has too much hair….”

by TS6 on Oct 15, 2011 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions

He may be big. He may be tall

But is he a motherf%$#ing wall?

Nos Audietis

by sidereal on Oct 15, 2011 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Interesting

Obviously highlights don’t give the full picture, but the thing I look for in a keeper is proper positioning & footwork. He seems to have both. A little unorthodox with some kick saves, but Euro keepers are a little strange (remember the old days that was the Americans?)

From a budget standpoint, I’d prefer to stay with an American since they tend to be under-market here, but maybe he’s desperate enough to get back on the Austrian national team radar that he’s willing to sell a little short.

by Derek Young on Oct 15, 2011 3:20 PM PDT reply actions

Motivation

Based on the articles his motivation to come here doesn’t seem to be to get on the National Team radar, rather, coming to MLS pretty much signals his giving up on those once-promising dreams. Signing for 3 years too, as some articles suggest, indicates a full on commitment to MLS for the Austrian.

by RalfZakuani on Oct 15, 2011 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions

National team

Exactly. For a European who wants to see national team action, going away from Europe is just about the last thing you want to do.

by AAAA on Oct 16, 2011 1:05 AM PDT up reply actions

His comment

Indeed, he was quoted saying this about his national team aspirations: “If I had that in mind, then I would not go to Seattle.”

http://derstandard.at/1318461379068/Gspurning-am-Sprung-ueber-den-Teich

by AAAA on Oct 16, 2011 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Sometimes I'm wrong

Apparently this is one of those times. :)

by Derek Young on Oct 16, 2011 1:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Normally I'd agree

But sitting on the bench in Europe is far worse than playing in the MLS. He’s stuck and needs a place where he’ll get minutes.

by Derek Young on Oct 16, 2011 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I thought he was on the bench because he was refusing to play, not because of skill level. Ive heard he is one of the best in his league. correct me if im wrong

by RaveGreenForever on Oct 16, 2011 3:06 AM PDT reply actions

Mayers tweeted

a response from Adrian

“Hanauer on link to Michael Gspurning: “We certainly don’t have anything to announce. We have no contract, but he is a player that we like.”

www.twitter.com/joshuamayers/status/125663342596599808

by gstommylee on Oct 16, 2011 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

bleh

didn’t see that the article been updated with what Adrian said.

by gstommylee on Oct 16, 2011 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

of note

my quote was about 2 hours before Mayers had his.

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Oct 16, 2011 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I seem to remember that Adrian said the same thing about Erik Friberg before he was signed.

Perhaps denial is an indication that they are in talks?

by Derek Markgraf on Oct 16, 2011 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

He's said basically the same thing about Drogba too

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Oct 16, 2011 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

So Drogba IS coming.

Glad we can finally get that transfer put to bed.

La Vecchia Signora Forever!

by AKSupporter on Oct 16, 2011 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs

Even if

Seattle wanted to sign Gspurning he is currently under contract until December. So Seattle has to wait until then.

by gstommylee on Oct 16, 2011 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions

We want to wait...

If we sign him now, wouldn’t we have to protect him from Montreal in the expansion draft on Nov 22nd? On that front, what are the rules if a contract is signed today, but has a start date of Jan 1, 2012? Is the simple fact that the contract has been signed, but not begun, enough to expose a player to Montreal?

by exSlacker on Oct 17, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions