Juan Pablo Angel has fond memories of playing in the English Premier League during his time with Aston Villa, scoring some big goals in the EPL, including one against Kasey Keller.
And the New York Red Bulls forward will get a chance to go back in time a bit Thursday night when he meets Keller for the first time on U.S. soil in the Seattle Sounders FC's inaugural MLS game at Qwest Field.
"Obviously I don't have to speak about Kasey's quality," Angel said in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. "One of the things this league is going to benefit from is all his experience and bringing it back to his own country. We did face each other a couple of times in England. I remember one game in particular, I think it was the 2004 campaign when we had a great year."
The forecast, which calls for a rain and temperatures in the mid-40s, should certainly be familiar for Angel.
"If you miss a wet, windy, February night in Newcastle, he's going to get it Thursday," Keller said in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday.
"I definitely don't miss (the weather)," Angel said.
Weather aside, Angel is anxious to get to Seattle for the opening game of the 2009 season after helping lead the Red Bulls to their first MLS Cup appearance in November.
"We heard the stadium is going to be sold out for this Thursday," he said. "There's nothing better than that, playing in front of a full house and opening up the season."
Keller, a native of nearby Lacey, Wash., is also excited to finally play his first Major League Soccer game after signing in August. The 39-year-old former U.S. international spent 16 years in Europe, last playing for Fulham in 2007-08.
"It's nice to finally get it going," Keller said. "We're extremely excited about the way the city has responded, the fans, now its up to us to put a good product on the field for everybody."
For Keller, the weather isn't the only similarity from playing in the English Premier League and Seattle.
"You're not going to fly under the radar here in Seattle as a soccer player," he said. "Here you're going to be held accountable for playing well and for playing bad. It's going to be the most professional environment in the states for soccer. It's amazing it feels that way before we've even kicked off yet."
Keller, who joked that he'd be fine if Angel missed his flight to the Pacific Northwest, is certainly well aware of the striker's qualities. Angel scored more goals (33) in the past two years than any other player in the league.
"I think what's great for Juan Pablo is to come to America and show the professionalism and that's so key," Keller said. "Juan Pablo has been a huge example to the younger players that you can come from England, be a big-name player and prove why the league invested in him from his work rate, his professionalism to the quality on the field. I haven't lost many games against Villa so I'm going to take his word for it that he scored on me."
Seattle Sounders FC co-owner Drew Carey met with reporters in Manhattan Monday to talk about the buzz in Seattle, including a social networking type of supporters site and the plan to have a marching band lead fans from nearby Pioneer Square to Qwest Field on game day.
Keller said it's not just the players who need to perform.
"Obviously Drew is the head of the marching band patrol so the pressure is on him," Keller said. "If they don't perform then stop watching 'The Price is Right.'"
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