News about Kasey Keller

As both teams prepare to advance to the World Cup knockout stage in Qatar, red-white-and-blue clad American soccer fans have flooded Doha's Al Thumama Stadium along with their Iranian colleagues. Both teams' supporters wrapped themselves in their national flags and painted their faces for the match, which can have ramifications for both teams. The game in Lyon, France, marks the second World Cup match between the two teams, following Iran's 1998 defeat of Team USA in Lyon, France, which barred the Americans from qualifying for the tournament. In addition, Iran (1-1-0) will depose the United States (0-0-2) in Doha on Tuesday with a tie or a draw, while the Americans can only win with a victory.

The Group B finale between the US and Iran on Tuesday isn't losing for significance, despite being already tense due to political uncertainties. The Americans need a victory to advance to the knockout stage in Qatar, but they face a 2-0 victory over a Welsh team that tied the US in the first round. Since being glued on their heels for a large portion of the game, Team USA shocked favorite England with a 0-0 draw on Friday. But, aside from soccer, there's also the unavoidable friction between Iran and the US, which has existed between the two countries for the longest time without formal diplomatic relations since 1980. In recent years, the United States has pulled out of its nuclear agreement with Iran and expressed sympathy for feminist protestors facing the government's wrath in Tehran. However, if history is any guide, the focus in Doha on Tuesday will be soccer, not unlike the political chest thumping. Both teams silenced any protesters with a pregame group snap at the 1998 World Cup in France, before they met together in group play. The Iranians even gave white roses to their opponents, setting a tense tone before handing the Americans a 2-1 loss in what remains US Soccer's biggest World Cup loss.

Former United States international Kasey Keller has advised Christian Pulisic that he would forego money for playing time. This season, the USMNT captain has struggled for minutes at Chelsea, limiting his preparations for the World Cup later this month. Pulisic, whose career has been hindered by injuries, fell out of favour under fired Blues manager Thomas Tuchel, and there has been no change in the circumstances under new manager Graham Potter.