| 17 October 2011
On a commonly chilly October night the atmosphere in Century Link Field was far from common. Standing 64,140 strong, Sounders fans arrived in mass to pay tribute to Captain Kasey Keller in his last regular season match as a professional. The stage was set and no better script could be better written for the legendary Keller as he led his team to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
Like in any good sports movie, the opponent scored first. San Jose’s forward Chris Wondolowski received the ball off of an illegitimate free kick and found the back of the net in the 25th minute.
The Sounders’ offense was lacking an essential spark. In the 65th minute a defensive blunder by Patrick Ianni left Kasey Keller exposed. What followed was arguably Keller’s greatest performance as a Sounder if not as a professional. Four point blocks and four spectacularly stalwart saves sealed the legend status for Keller. The crowd exploded with as much elation as a response to a goal would have.
After Keller’s heroic display the game’s momentum turned, Mauro Rosales and Sammy Ochoa entered the match and used Keller’s inspiration to ignite the offense.
In the 82nd minute, Mauro Rosales found the ball on the right side and served the ball into the middle for Sammy Ochoa who placed the ball first time off the near post and into the goal for the equalizer and his first goal as a Sounder.
A few minutes later in the 87th minute, Fredy Montero collected a layoff from Brad Evans and put away an easy far post shot for the game winner. It was the best possible send off for the man who in many ways set the foundation for Sounders FC.
From everyone at Seatown Sports, thank you Kasey Keller.
