Kasey Keller: Rapids netting Tim Howard would be coup

Former U.S. National Team goalkeeper says Tim Howard can still be very effective at his age

COMMERCE CITY — If anyone knows goalkeeping, it's Kasey Keller.

The former U.S. national team top goalie was on four World Cup teams and was the first American keeper to start regularly in the best leagues in England, Spain and Germany. Keller finished his career in MLS with the Seattle Sounders, returning in 2009 at age 39 and playing three seasons.

Now an MLS analyst, Keller believes that Tim Howard, at 37, has plenty left in the tank and would make a huge difference for the Colorado Rapids if his reported transfer from Everton becomes official.

"He'll be the best goalkeeper in MLS," Keller told The Denver Post. "No question."

Howard took over for Keller in 2007 as the first-choice U.S. goalkeeper and has since surpassed him for most appearances (106) by a U.S. national team goalie. Howard has been linked with the Rapids since January when Colorado acquired the top spot in the league's player allocation ranking, giving the Rapids first crack at his MLS rights. ESPN reported last month that Howard was on the brink of joining Colorado on a contract that would pay him $2 million annually through 2019.

The Rapids and Howard's agent have declined to comment.

"He'll be very effective," Keller said. "So much of goalkeeping as you get older is kind of how you read the game, how you organize in front of you, and Tim's extremely fit and really hasn't had any major injuries."

Keller said Howard has mentored younger keepers on the U.S. national team and would be a great teacher for the young goalies on the Rapids' roster.

"He would come in with a tremendous attitude," Keller said. "There's no big ego."

Keller said Colorado's young players would really listen to an experienced field general such as Howard.

"If Tim can move a player three yards before a play starts, he doesn't have to make a save because that player is already in a good position," Keller said. "Those little, simple things — which are difficult to see throughout a season — could be the difference between a team conceding 10 extra goals."

Add to the equation Howard's ability as a shot-stopper and he would be far and away on the positive side of the saves-to-mistakes ratio, Keller said.

Last week, Rapids vice president of soccer operations Paul Bravo said the club was close to adding another impact player to their roster.

"The last conversations I had with Tim, he was just looking for what felt right at the time," Keller said. "If it's right to move back to MLS and the money's right and the situation's right, then cool. If it's not, he's got two years left on his contract. So he's in the driving seat a little bit."