Don't have time to do a full write-up right now and haven't transcribed my notes, but I did want to go on record with a few clear impressions I was left with after attending Kasey Keller's press conference.

Terms weren't disclosed, either length or amount of the deal, but this is clearly a one-year thing. Although Keller didn't literally say he was retiring after this season, and I suppose there's a chance he could come back, he and GM Adrian Hanauer made it clear that was the plan. They also alluded to keeping Keller around in some other capacity beyond player.

As for the amount Keller is being paid, you didn't have to read too far between the lines to get that Keller probably took a significant pay cut. He isn't playing for the league minimum or anything like that, and he made comments about still wanting to feel like a professional, but I wouldn't be at all shocked if he took at least a $100,00 reduction. He obviously came back with an eye on winning a MLS Cup and he acknowledged that some cap space was created by his re-signing.

Beyond that, it's obvious Keller is exciting about this season. He has no intention of playing out the string, intends to play a similar number of games as last year when he appeared in 38 matches, and has every intention of going out on top. He spoke repeatedly of not wanting to be one of those players who should have retired a year earlier.

Still, the Sounders realize this is a short-term fix. Hanauer practically guaranteed a third goalkeeper would be added to the roster. He mentioned looking far and wide for that player and even mentioned the possibility of bringing in someone from the Academy. Terry Boss is probably going to be the backup when camp opens, but he'll be expected to win that spot.

I also had a chance to talk to Sounders Technical Director Chris Henderson about newly signed midfielder Erik Friberg. The expectation is that he's a player that will compete for a starting spot, not simply bolster the team's depth. He's very much in the mold of a box-to-box midfielder, but he is also a good candidate to take over free-kick duties. The fact that he's going to open camp with the team means he's going to have opportunities that Alvaro Fernandez, for instance, didn't. He might not win the starting job, but he's going to have every opportunity to compete with the likes of Brad Evans and others.

Quotes after the jump.