Kasey Keller, current Fox Soccer Channel Analyst, future SSFC Analyst?

by Thalas on Dec 6, 2011 7:43 PM PST

Editor's note: Heard about this happening but didn't catch it. In any case, some fun speculation as to what Kasey Keller's appearance on Fox Soccer Channel could mean for his future with the Sounders. - Jeremiah

My wife and I almost missed it as we sat down to watch a DVR of Chelsea hosting Valencia in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage in what was an elimination game. We usually bounce forward by 5 minute increments until we see the match start, forgoing listening to the likes of Eric Wynalda, Christopher Sullivan, and Warren Barton, though we actually somewhat enjoy their analysis unlike practically every other person FSC employs. There was quite a bit of lead in to this game, 20 minutes worth, maybe that's why we ended up watching the analysts after going forward by 10 minutes, only to notice a fourth member in the studio, Kasey Keller.

I immediately barked a happy "HEY!" while it took my wife a few more seconds at which point she yelped a "KASEY!". We were already in a happy mood knowing we'd be enjoying the next best thing to Sounders soccer, an elimination game in the UEFA CL between 2 fairly strong teams, but this was enough to have us grinning like Christmas morning had come 3 weeks early. We quickly bounced back to the beginning of the broadcast, not wanting to miss a second of what as far as we knew was Kasey's first job after football.

My mind raced through the possibilities of what this meant for Kasey, without consciously focusing on it, still basking in the glow of seeing our Captain unexpectedly. It occurred to me that if Kasey was working as an analyst, it wouldn't help him much if he was slated to take a front office job this offseason. Surely the only reason to be working a broadcast desk 3 months before the start of the MLS season would be in preparation to be a part of the Sounders broadcast team.

Kasey's stated that he's fully intent on being part of the Seattle Sounders FC for the foreseeable future, it seems that for at least a little while, it'll be next to a play by play man, or at the very least next to Alan and Pete. I for one am sure it's the former.

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How did he do?

Did he sound professional? Was what he said meaningful stuff? Etc? His interviews I’ve seen are so awkward, it’s like he never really knows what to say. Maybe he’s just one of those guys that doesn’t like talking about himself. I dunno.

by chrisperry1983 on Dec 7, 2011 9:51 AM PST reply actions

I think during his playing days he was guarded

Much the same as many veteran professional sports players that have seen a lot and are hyper wary of saying much at all because there’s so many different types of media out there that can twist his words for good and bad.

I think during the FSC broadcast he was competent, he made a few intelligent observations, but I think Eric, Chris, and Warren do the same and I know some here disagree, so like Kasey in his playing days I’m wary of providing fodder for that which I think would detract from the real subject, Kasey’s doing a suit analyst job.

I’m surprised no one at all is reporting on this, I think it’s a huge subject and story that should be followed closely during this slowest of slow moments, the offseason, because it could hugely impact our game viewing experience while on the road since so few of us attend those games and so many more road games are local broadcast since our home games are snapped up by the national networks because of the big attendance and therefore not covered by the local broadcast teams.

by Thalas on Dec 7, 2011 12:15 PM PST up reply actions

Bleh, last comment ran on a bit at the end

But yeah, I think this is a big story, it’s freaking Kasey.

by Thalas on Dec 7, 2011 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

My wife and hi had the same reaction

We were surfing around at the end of Chelsea rebroadcast and there was Kasey.

The couple of comments that I heard were concise and added to the analytical overview of the game from a GK perspective. A nice addition to the overall analysis of the game.

I would say the thing that looked the most awkward was Kasey in a suit. Looked a bit uncomfortable. But very professional and lucid when he spoke.

by Abbott Smith on Dec 7, 2011 12:46 PM PST reply actions

Kasey also participated in halftime and postgame analysis

I figured it was a given but thought I should mention that. I’ll be watching more UEFA CL this week, I’ll follow up here if I see him again. Chelsea/Valencia was the only game I watched yesterday, he was probably involved with multiple games for FSC since they usually do 2 to 4 every UEFA CL game day which is usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

As I stated in a comment above, I don’t want to critique his commentary too much, he’d have to be called a rookie at this, even though he’s well qualified with all his experience, I’ll leave the critique to others if they like.

So start watching some UEFA CL to see what could amount to one of our new broadcast team, or just because it’s freaking Kasey Keller.

The funniest moment for me was, when Eric who was mediating the commentary passed it to Kasey early in the broadcast, they threw up a graphic with Kasey’s name, and below that it stated something like “Played in England, Spain, and Germany”. I commented that they could’ve put up a paragraph below his name, over 100 caps for the USMNT, 3 World Cup Finals appearances though it should’ve been 4, 3 years in the MLS for Seattle Sounders FC, 3 straight LHUSOC titles, etc, etc, etc. Guess they were trying to connect with US/MLS haters or something.

by Thalas on Dec 7, 2011 12:46 PM PST reply actions