SB Nation Seattle - Kasey Keller, Blaise Nkufo Won't Be Back With Sounders Next Year, Says Sigi Schmidhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-02-23T12:21:38-08:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17747802011-02-23T12:21:38-08:002011-02-23T12:21:38-08:00Kasey Keller, Blaise Nkufo Won't Be Back With Sounders Next Year, Says Sigi Schmid
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<p>This season will be forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo">Blaise Nkufo</a>'s last with the Seattle Sounders, head coach Sigi Schmid said on Wednesday (via <a href="http://twitter.com/joshuamayers/statuses/40503630394163200" target="_blank">Joshua Mayers from The Seattle Times</a>). Nkufo joined the team after playing with FC Twente, taking the Sounders' second designated player spot during the 2009 season. As a target forward, Nkufo assimilated well with the team as the season wore on, becoming a key part in the Sounders late run into the playoffs.</p>
<p>In addition to Nkufo, <a href="http://twitter.com/donruiztnt/statuses/40504027544436736" target="_blank">this season will be goalkeeper Kasey Keller's last with the team</a>. Keller, who signed a contract extension prior to training camp this year, has been nearing the end of his career, but chose to finish it out in Seattle. With <span>Terry Boss</span> as the reserve goalkeeper, and <span>Josh Ford</span> and <span>Bryan Meredith</span> battling for the third spot, the Sounders have been looking for replacements in the event of Keller's inevitable retirement.</p>
<p>With Nkufo leaving the Sounders will have an open designated player spot following the season to do with what they please. Currently, <span>Fredy Montero</span>, Nkufo and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110948/alvaro-fernandez">Alvaro Fernandez</a> are under contract as designated players, the maximum allowed in MLS.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Sounders, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com" target="_blank">Sounder At Heart</a>.</i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2011/2/23/2330262/kasey-keller-blaise-nkufo-wont-be-back-with-sounders-next-year-saysBrian Floyd