News

Tips

Profiles

Camps

Staff

American goalkeeper Feuer making noise in England

LONDON (AP) -- Is there room for another American-born goalkeeper in English soccer?

Las Vegas-born Ian Feuer thinks so.

The English Premier League has three Americans in goal already: Kasey Keller at Leicester, Brad Friedel at Liverpool and Espen Baardsen -- American-born but nationalized Norwegian -- at Tottenham Hotspur.

"We have so many good American 'keepers, I'm not sure anyone knows who I am," Feuer said. "That's why I'm here... maybe make that name."

Ten days ago Feuer (pronounced 'foyer') made an indelible mark with English soccer fans.

Playing for minor-league side Rushden and Diamonds -- on a one-month contract with no pay -- Feuer held Premier League Leeds to a scoreless draw in an F.A. Cup third-round game. He's yet to yield a goal in four games.

The 0-0 draw gets replayed Wednesday at Leeds' famed Elland Road stadium before a 39,000 sellout and scouts from most of England's top clubs

"The outcome isn't so important because no one expects us to win," said the 6-foot-6 (1.98 meter) Feuer. "Keeping a clean sheet [shutout] against Leeds was one of the special days of my career. I've been around long enough to believe there are more coming."

Feuer left home at 16 to play for the youth side of Belgium club FC Brugge. He's been on the move ever since, pausing long enough to take a Belgian wife, Trui, and father two daughters -- Amy and Emily.

The 27-year-old played sparingly for five seasons in English soccer with second-division Luton Town and third-division Peterborough -- and was on the roster at Premier League West Ham without ever playing.

He departed England to play last season with the Boston-based New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, but longed to return to the English game.

"I think I did enough at Luton and West Ham to prove my abilities," Feuer said. "I just wanted a change of scenery, but I found out the hard way that i was the wrong change. I found out the hard way that I loved England."

Feuer returned to England -- at his own expense -- after the MLS season ended and landed a tryout with a Premier League team, which he declined to name.

"I don't want to jeopardize my relationship there," he said.

About a month ago, Rushden and Diamonds lost its two goalkeepers -- Mark Gayle and Mark Smith -- to injuries. Wanting to see Feuer play, the unnamed Premier League team sent him on loan to the small, central-England side -- which is below the Enlish league structure of four divisions and 92 teams.

"Maybe this is exaggerating, but it's like I'm with the New Yor Yankees," Feuer said. "They couldn't play me, so they sent me to one of their minor league teams to see me play."

Wednesday's match should get huge exposure. The F.A. Cup is one of world soccer's most prestigious competitions and, the annual mismatch between a powerful Premier League team and a no-hope underdog always draws large audiences.

"It [F.A. Cup] is well respected throughout the world and, even as a kid, we used to go to an Irish pub -- if you could find one in America -- and watch the game," Feuer said.

A job with a Premier League team would also boost Feuer's chances with the U.S. national side, where Keller and Friedel are the top goalkeepers. They have more than 90 international appearances between them and Feuer has one -- a 3-1 loss in 1992 to Morocco.

"I came in as a substitute and the moment I did -- Morocco scored," Feuer said. "I was gutted."

"I've forgotten about it," he added. "Keller and Friedel are great goalkeepers, but I feel I could have a good run with the national team if I got a chance."