Cascadia Cup: John Spencer and Kasey Keller Have History

by Geoff Gibson on May 13, 2011 12:20 PM PDT

And not necessarily the good kind of history either.

According to the video after the jump (below), the player that takes the penalty kick, which is saved by Kasey Keller, is none other than the Portland Timbers current head coach John Spencer, who, as we all know, played for the Chelsea football club in the 1990s.

The Seattle Times blog has a great quote from John Spencer about it:

I do remember it quite vividly. It was at Stamford Bridge and I think it was myself and Kasey on the field with the referee, and behind us right along the halfway line there were maybe 25 horses stopping the Chelsea fans and the Millwall fans from going into a riot. So as soon as I put the ball down I took three steps back, ran as quick as I can, hit the shot, it gets saved and I turned and ran as fast as I could up the tunnel. That's probably what I remember more about the penalty kick more than anything.

Why the running you might ask? Well back then Kasey Keller played for Millwall and, if you know anything about Millwall, especially the 1990s version of the club, it's that their fans loves to riot, pillage and generally do anything possible to make the other team miserable. The video above is proof positive why it was important for Spencer to run as shortly after the stadium turned into a riot zone.

Of course, this all has nothing to do with the weekend's game, but it's still a fun story to tell about the man leading the Portland Timbers.

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Comments

another reason to hate Keller:

He kept goal for Millwall.

here i am and here i go

by Burnside Brian on May 13, 2011 12:47 PM PDT reply actions

And he stopped Spenny :(

Blazers win!

by The X-man on May 13, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

call me crazy...

But as much as I dislike the Flounders, I can’t hate on Keller. A national team keeper who cut his teeth at U of P here in town,…naw, just hate the jersey he dons.

Keller is class. Bottom line.

by Fanstand314 on May 13, 2011 2:02 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I agree

I remember going to U of P to watch him play and all the good games in a USA jersey. Brazil 0-0 tie, best game by a keep ever and caused Ronaldo to say “Best keeper I have ever seen.”

Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.

by Ryan Gates on May 13, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Romário said it

by makenji on May 13, 2011 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes

Thanks! forgot it was him, To many R’s :)

Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.

by Ryan Gates on May 13, 2011 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

It's an easy trap to fall into

you know that footballer? Uhhh, he’s from Brazil, use to be one of the best players in the world, but was lazy and got fat from partying all the time so he went back to play in Brazil? (huge list of candidates) Uhhh, I think his name starts with R. (still a list of 3-5 candidates)

by makenji on May 14, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Sounder fan here

Don’t know if many of you are coming up tomorrow but you are welcome to come to Fado the Gorilla FC bar in Pioneer Square.
better locale and friendlier fans than anywhere over by Occindental Sq. and the home of ECS.

lived in Forest Grove in the late 70’s-80’s and went to PGE for all the matches.
great times.

hope Kasey breaks Spencer’s heart one more time.
;-)

by PandG on May 13, 2011 10:47 PM PDT reply actions