On American World Cup Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnmann

Marcus Hahnemann has taken one of the more circuitous paths to Germany ’06

HAMBURG, Germany -

At the Tool concert on June 6th, it all came together for Marcus Hahnemann. There he was, in Hamburg representing his country for the World Cup, sitting in his roped-off seats and listening to one of his favorite musical groups. As the band launched into another hard-rocking song, the goalkeeper with signature shaved head and soul patch leaned back and took a moment to reflect.

In the past 45 whirlwind days, the American goalkeeper and Seattle native had packed in a career’s worth of glory.

His remarkable ride began in late May, when his club team Reading FC clinched promotion to the English Premier League for the first time in its 135-year history. Reading tore through the Championship, earning its promotion earlier than any other team in history. For his part in the historic campaign, Hahnemann was honored as that league’s Goalkeeper of the Year by the Professional Footballers Association.

For the 34-year old Hahnemann, an aggressive goalkeeper with intense eyes and a competitiveness that shows through even in conversation, his inclusion in the US roster is the capstone to one of the longest roads to glory of any player in the World Cup. It’s also an honor for the fiercely patriotic Seattlite, who sports a tattoo of the American flag on his left arm.

“I can’t even put into words how amazing this year has been,” he said.

In the English town of Reading, he and club teammate Bobby Convey have risen to the status of borderline folk legends.

“It seems like I know everyone in Reading,” he jokes, adding that it’s easier to blend into the background in Hamburg than his adopted hometown of Reading.

It has been a long journey to Germany ’06 for the Seattle native. He won the Division II national championship with Seattle Pacific University in 1993, he himself earning the Defensive MVP honors at the Final Four. He then started his professional career with his hometown Seattle Sounders in 1994, his solid form earning him a move to the Colorado Rapids of MLS.

Once again, his play at Colorado impressed and like Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel before him, he made the jump to Europe in 1999.

At Fulham, the door to the playing field was blocked by first-teamer Dutch international Edwin Van Der Sar. It was difficult for Hahnemann to stay off the field, but he found an outlet for his intense competitive drive by competing in training.

After a few seasons, he sought a loan to Reading in search of first-team football. He eventually made it official, signing with the club in 2002.

But while he was climbing the ranks in his club career, a national team call up seemed out of the question. With Friedel, Keller, and Meola blocking the way, he doubted we would ever play for the national team again.

“When I was with the Sounders, I played a few games (for the United States),” Hahnemann said.

But Reading gave Hahnemann the opportunity to play every day and he had pounced on it like a rebound in the six-yard box.

Once he started getting regular playing time again, the US National Team came back into the picture. He earned a call up to the national team for the 2003 Confederations Cup. Soon after, he helped guide the US to a 2-1 victory on June 8 against New Zealand.

An amazing eight years, five months, and 28 days had passes since Hahnemann last took the field for his country.

It’s been quite a ride for Hahnemann, and the Tool concert was the icing on the cake. Earlier in the week, the US Soccer delegation received a surprise phone call from the band, which was playing a show in Hamburg. They invited anyone interested to come to their show. Since the players had already been given the next day off from training so Hahnemann, a big motorhead, jumped at the opportunity.

Hahnemann, along with fellow metal-lover Keller, trainer Rick Guter and equipment manager Ryan Maxfield and others, attended the show and met the band backstage.

Recounting the experience, he joked that he didn’t know who was more star-struck when they met backstage – the band or the players.

“We got to go backstage and meet them. They were super-psyched to see us,” Hahnemann said. “The bass player is from London and he said, ‘I’m a huge soccer fan and it’s great to have you guys come out.’ I don’t know who was more in awe – but I think I was.”

“Tool is one of my favorite bands. The chance to meet them, much less go to their concert – the timing of everything was absolutely perfect.”

For Hahnemann, the dream continues in Hamburg. In all likelihood, he won’t see the field this tournament, but that doesn’t take away from the experience. In addition to his national team duties, he has been entertaining a number of relatives who are in Germany to support the team – his parents hail from Hamburg, which for its many canals is known as the Venice of the North.

In the 60s, Marcus Hahnemann’s father moved to Seattle for a job at Boeing. It took 40 years, but his son has finally made it back for this homecoming of sorts.