U.S., Venezuela set to meet today in Seattle
A familiar face will be on the sidelines at Seahawks Stadium today when the United States faces Venezuela in a friendly soccer match.
Kasey Keller, a North Thurston High graduate, would much rather be tending goal for the U.S. team instead of taking in all the action.
Keller, a starting goalkeeper for Tottenham of the English Premier League, isn't sure how much or if he'll play at all in the match with Venezuela, a late replacement for Japan after the Japanese Football Association recently opted to skip the trip due to security concerns.
Keller, like many of his teammates, flew to the Northwest this week from points beyond to prepare for today's match. Keller flew Tuesday after Tottenham lost a 1-0 match to Bolton Monday.
Most of the team has been at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., since Monday, practicing for the match under the watchful eyes of coach Bruce Arena. Arena has the option of using Keller, Tony Meola or Brad Friedel, who helped the U.S. team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup last summer, in goal. But that's not the only position worth watching.
Forward Landon Donovan, who is regarded as one of soccer's top up-and-coming players, arrived in Seattle late Thursday after San Jose defeated CSD Municipal, 2-1, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in San Jose on March 26. With a lineup brimming with talent, the U.S. team shouldn't have trouble with Venezuela. Or will they?
While Venezuela is not as strong as Japan, Arena is a little wary of the success Venezuela has had recently. Venezuela has gone 436 minutes without surrendering a goal, dating back to a 2-0 loss to Morocco on March 3. The team is unbeaten and unscored upon in its last four matches, including wins over Ecuador and Uruguay.
"Over the past two or three years, the Venezuelan national team has made great strides, and I think they're the most improved team in South America," Arena said in a statement. "We're certainly looking forward to the challenge."
Match organizers said earlier this week that 17,000 tickets had been sold for the match, though some of those might have been returned after Japan announced that it wasn't coming.
Still, organizers are expecting a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000. A match at Safeco Field in 2002 between the U.S. team and Honduras attracted a crowd of 38,534.
Corey Brock: 253-597-8483 corey.brock@mail.tribnet.com
USA vs. Venezuela
When - Today, 1 p.m. Seahawks Stadium
TV - ESPN2
Tickets - Range from $20 to $70 and are available at TicketMaster outlets and at Seahawks Stadium.
Previous meeting - Team USA and Venezuela played to a 3-3 tie in the Copa America in 1993.
Crowd - Organizers are hoping for a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000.
The skinny - The U.S. team originally was supposed to play Japan, but the Japanese Football Association decided last week not to make the trip, which included a match in San Diego on March 26, because of security concerns. Venezuela collected five victories in 2002 World Cup qualifying and is unbeaten and unscored upon in its past four matches. The U.S. team has been practicing at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., since Monday. Goalie Kasey Keller, who played at North Thurston High, is a goalkeeper for the U.S. team.
Corey Brock (Published 12:30AM, March 29th, 2003)