USA forward Landon Donovan believes Kasey Keller's attitude in being overlooked for the 2002 World Cup is what lead to him securing the number one jersey for this summer's showpiece.

Keller came in for some criticism after the 3-0 defeat to Czech Republic, but Donovan, no less irreproachable in that match, had nothing but praise for the Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper.

"A lot of guys would have made a big stink about it (being dropped for Brad Friedel)," Donovan told ESPN.com. "He just dealt with it. He wasn't happy about it, but I'm sure he's ecstatic now and he's going to show he deserves to be back there."

Keller himself admitted he knew at the time he just had to take it on the chin and hope for another chance.

He said: "I would have been disappointed if I had handled it any other way.

"What do you gain by airing everything publicly? You gain things for the short term. But if I would have done that, I wouldn't be here right now.

"I didn't want to end my international career on that note," he said. "I was happy we were able to put things aside and I was able to play with the freedom that I like to play with."