Kasey Keller Exclusive: It’s tough to take the US national team seriously

Bestgamblingsites.com sits down with Kasey Keller to discuss the Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders FC match, which ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw. Kasey expressed his disappointment in the game, noting that both teams struggled to perform and lacked consistency in scoring goals. The interview also highlights the intense rivalry between the two teams and the challenges faced by Portland Timbers due to injuries. Kasey Keller also shares his thoughts on Leo Messi's potential move to Inter Miami and discusses the US men's national team, Christian Pulisic's situation at Chelsea, and the Premier League.

Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders FC Reaction (0-0)

Best Gambling Sites: What did you make of the Portland Timbers vs Seattle - did it live up to your expectations?

Kasey Keller: It lived up to no expectations! It was disappointing. We all know the big rivalry games can sometimes fall flat, due to the pressure or whatever. But it just didn’t happen - the Sounders have got off to a good start, aside from their little blip lately, but Portland haven’t and with the big crowd at home, Seattle just didn’t perform. It was just such a frustrating game. Nobody could combine passes and there were plenty of unforced errors.

Both keepers barely had anything to do. As the away team, you’re OK with it but as the home team you need to perform for your fans and the Sounders just weren’t able to do that.

BGS: Seattle have now won just two of their last eight league matches (2W-4L-2D record), scoring just four goals over that stretch - what do you think is going wrong for Seattle right now?

KK: I know they have injuries, and you look at the loss of Jordan Morris, but that was only a couple of games ago. He won’t score you 30 goals a season but he’s important. I didn’t think he would propel the Sounders into something different but when he wasn’t scoring.

two goals a game nobody else has really picked up the baton. I think it’s just the inconsistency of scoring goals, they’ve been good at the back and their clean sheets are leading the league stats - they just need more goalscorers.

BGS: Coach Brian Schmetzer said after the game: “The message tonight was about mentality, gutting out a win, hopefully, against our archrival. And we didn't accomplish that, the facts are, we've dropped points.” - do you agree with his assessment?

KK: I think gutting out is great, knowing you aren’t playing your best but finding ways to get results. But at some stage you just have to be the better team consistently. Maybe against Portland it’s fine after losing in midweek, but at some stage they just have to be consistently better than their opponents if they want to be the club they’re supposed to be.

BGS: Portland Timbers–Seattle Sounders rivalry, has been called by Matt Pentz of ESPN FC "MLS' premier rivalry". How have you seen this evolve throughout the years since your playing days? Has the rivalry become more or less intense?

KK: It kind of got started right at the end of my playing days. My last season was the year that Portland came into it. In the Open cups they often try to draw you closer to teams in your regions, a bit like the model in Germany - you play at the smaller clubs’ ground.

We had a few matches there and it was a great start to the rivalry. It is tricky, the fan groups did a great job in trying to reestablish the history - for the fans that didn’t know these teams started in the early 70s.

The things between them that you’re so used to seeing - they really revived that. This is the 125th time they’ve played each other’ and so on - it made it a big deal and that’s why it’s the biggest rivalry. Not only geographically but historically. We don’t have a long history in this sport in comparison to the UK.

It has been intense but it always depends on the circumstances. Is it a play-off game? Who’s doing well and who’s not? Can you get one over on them? Like most rivalries it depends on how successful the teams are and the focus on what it means. It’s strong and it’s not going anywhere!

BGS: What’s behind Seattle’s strong start this season?

KK: They started earlier than anyone else due to their qualification into the Club World Cup. They were into pre-season before the rest and started the season ahead of everyone else. There weren't a lot of changes, just one or two signings, and they knew each other. That helped. Now there’s a dip because they’ve been playing longer. One of the big MLS issues is spending money, it makes it difficult to enhance the squad size. So it’s harder for the players who weren't expecting to play. Are they good enough yet, these young players?

BGS: Seattle faces Charlotte this weekend, what’s your prediction?

KK: Charlotte are decent. When you have to fly back east, it’s tough. MLS is one of the more difficult leagues to predict so yes they could win but yes they could get beat 3-0. It’s MLS!

Giovanni Savarese has a stay of execution because of the injuries but at some point the fans will lose patience. It’s hard to ask too much with key players out. You have to look at which of the teams have the most high paid players available and the bookies make decisions based on that. If you have five or six players out, you’re going to struggle.

Giovanni Savarese has a stay of execution because of the injuries but at some point the fans will lose patience.

BGS: How would you assess Portland Timbers’ season so far?

KK: Another slow start, there’s going to come a time when there’s going to be a lot of questions asked. For the last year, 18 months - they’ve needed to get that side of the club organised, the playing side. They’ve struggled with injuries, you can’t bring players in as much with the salary cap. Giovanni Savarese has a stay of execution because of the injuries but at some point the fans will lose patience.

It’s hard to ask too much with key players out. You have to look at which of the teams have the most high paid players available and the bookies make decisions based on that. If you have five or six players out, you’re going to struggle.

They’re searching for their next Diego Valeri. When you’ve had marquee players, and lose them how do you replace them? It’s harder in MLS.

BGS: Portland host Dallas on Monday - how do you see that going?

KK: I see Portland maybe starting to turn the corner. Turf is difficult to play on when it’s warmer and dry and I think they’ll have the advantage and they’ll get the win.

Messi to Miami: I wouldn’t be surprised if the league came up with a Leo Messi rule!

BGS: Leo Messi is leaving PSG and Barca can’t get him back - is a move to Inter Miami possible?

KK: The big question is always if it’s something you’ve wanted to do, or is it ‘you know what, I’ve got a couple of years left let’s fill the bank account while we can’.

There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s what you feel is the best for the family. Do they see it being cool to work in America for a bit? That’s why LA and New York have benefitted. Does Messi want to come somewhere new? PSG lost 500,000 instagram followers once Messi said he was leaving. If he came, it would be a circus. Would it be less so in Saudi Arabia? What does his family want to do? He doesn’t need money, but won’t want to leave it on the table.

Do they do it for a year, or is it a case of it being an interesting adventure? But there’s requirements with his deals in America, maybe he doesn’t want to get involved in all that?

At this moment it’s a lifestyle choice.

BGS: If Messi did come to Miami, would they have to sell players because of the salary cap?

KK: No because it comes down to the designated player, only so much comes off and they can spend what they want. I’m assuming Miami had a DP (Designated Player) spot filled, so they’d have to buy somebody down or release them. They’ve already got themselves in trouble with the cap and it would take some wranging.

But I wouldn’t be surprised if the league came up with a Leo Messi rule!

There’s a schedule this summer and it’s tough in US soccer to take the team as seriously as you would like because there’s no directive on a new manager.

It’s tough to take the US national team seriously

BGS: USMNT has some interesting games coming up. They face Germany and Ghana, and it’s a good test.

KK: What’s great is how much more difficult high profile friendly games are because of the Nations League. Playing in that window, there’s very few now, it’s nice. There’s a schedule this summer and it’s tough in US soccer to take the team as seriously as you would like because there’s no directive on a new manager.

At the moment it’s “well I guess this guy will take it for now and we’ll figure it out from there” - so it's a very frustrating period. Hosting the next World Cup, we don’t have the qualifiers. I can understand why they’re not running to get the new manager, but it’s the limbo period which is a frustration for the fans and for the players. It’s almost like it doesn’t matter what you do, but you have pride for yourself and your nation. There’s a big asterisk above US soccer currently.

Christian Pulisic will most likely leave Chelsea

BGS: Christian Pulisic is currently still with Chelsea and after a terrible season, but they have a new manager. Can he work with Mauricio Pochettino or is it time to move on?

KK: It sounds like it’s the latter. But I have seen players resurrect their careers as clubs, look at Granit Xhaka. Fans wanted him gone, the club did too but had two good years. I want players to be at a place that they’re going to play. Is that at Chelsea for Christian?

If the new manager has made a decision and he’s probably not going to get the chance, then go somewhere and play.

He’s going to need to make a decision. Is the club going to help with the salary? It’s up to him. Every player needs to be able to showcase themselves, week in, week out. I wanted to play, it wasn’t about the bank balance. I always wanted to push myself.

BGS: Let’s touch upon the Premier League. Who was your stand out goalkeeper?

KK: Alisson Becker and Ederson were both great again. I remember laughing with an old friend, saying that years ago if you would have said two of the best goalkeepers were Brazilian they would have never believed you, that you were crazy. I’m interested to see what happens with de Gea, and with Lloris at Tottenham. Nick Pope and Ramsdale were also both superb.

A big reason why Leicester went down is because they didn’t replace Kapser Schmeichel like they needed to.

Nobody in Man U’s starting XI would get into Man City’s

BGS: The FA Cup final went the way of Manchester City, what did you make of the game?

KK: It’s good to see Manchester United back in a more competitive nature, in the top echelons where they should be. But Man City, basically since the World Cup finished, have just been at another level. I can’t remember which pundit said it, but there’s nobody really

in the Manchester United side who you think would start in the Manchester City side. That’s how strong they are!

Not only that, but the first five subs for City would all be starting for United. I don’t want to upset their fans, but they know that. They are not at their level yet.

Erik ten Hag has done a great job. There’s still drama about the Glazers selling or not selling, but it’s a saga - even when they’ve turned a corner. I’m interested to see how ten Hag can manoeuvre in the transfer market to make them stronger. They need to be stronger.

A few hits, but too many misses. They’re going to need significantly more hits than misses over the next few windows to truly be competitive.

Sadly, things will never change at Spurs. It seems like old problems are repeating themselves and I feel for the fans. I had issues with Daniel Levy when I was at the club as well.

Things will never change at Spurs - I had issues with Daniel Levy

BGS: It’s been yet another difficult summer at Tottenham, one of your old clubs - what do you make of the situation there?

KK: Sadly, things will never change at Spurs. It seems like old problems are repeating themselves and I feel for the fans. I had issues with Daniel Levy when I was at the club as well.

Will Harry Kane go? I feel the time is right for the club to sell and invest the money in the squad. There’s been talk about him and Richarlison being linked with Real Madrid but Kane is more suited - Richarlison is a squad player at best at Tottenham, he isn’t

the man for Madrid.

But I do feel Ange Postecoglou can be a good appointment for Spurs. He’s the type of personality they need.

UCL Final Prediction: Inter need to take a trip to the Vatican to have any chance

BGS: It’s the Champions League final this weekend. What are Inter’s chances against this rampant Manchester City side?

KK: Inter need to take a trip to the Vatican to have any chance! They’re huge underdogs, even after looking good against AC Milan in the semi-finals.

Like everyone has found out, Manchester City are a machine. They’re just too strong, they have an amazing team and their squad has quality running through it. And, of course, they have a great manager.

Surely this is Pep’s time.