ONLY a few months ago Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller were team mates as the United States defied the odds to reach the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Tomorrow they will be at opposite ends of the pitch hoping to keep out the other's striking colleagues.

Before the Americans started their campaign there was much debate about who would be number one for coach Bruce Arena.

By the end of the campaign there was absolutely no doubt as the Rovers keeper's displays ensured he is now regarded as one of the very best stoppers in the world.

Keller had to make do with a place on the bench, where he spent a lot of last season as number two to Neil Sullivan although he was in goal for the final few matches.

He has started this season as the number one, producing a number of top class displays. He was in superb form at Old Trafford last month as he kept out Manchester United until he was finally beaten from the spot by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The former Millwall, Leicester and Rayo Vallecano stopper may have displaced Sullivan at Spurs but he will have to go some to do the same thing to Friedel at international level.