CARSON, Calif. (Saturday, August 25, 2012) – LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane was one of 23 players called into the Irish national team by manager Giovanni Trapattoni for their upcoming matches. Ireland will open their 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign on Friday, September 7 when they play on the road against Kazakhstan. Keane will join up with the rest of the Ireland squad following the Galaxy’s game against Vancouver on Saturday, September 1.
In addition to the World Cup Qualifier, which will be played in the Kazakhstani capital of Astana, Ireland will also face Oman in a friendly on Tuesday, September 11 in London.
Keane, who captained Ireland at the 2012 European Championships, is the most capped player in the Ireland squad, having appeared for his country 120 times since debuting in March 1998. The 32-year-old is Ireland’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and is five caps shy of tying the record for the most caps in Ireland history.
Currently in his second season with the Galaxy, Keane has a team-best 12 goals in all competitions, scoring 11 times in the regular season and once in the CONCACAF Champions League. His 11 regular season goals leave him tied for fourth in MLS. Since returning from the European Championships in late June, Keane has scored eight goals and added four assists in 11 games, helping the Galaxy record a 6-3-2 record in those matches.
Keane and the Galaxy will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center. That game, which is presented by Herbalife, kicks off at 4 p.m. and can be seen live on NBC Sports Network. Prior to that that game, the Galaxy Foundation will be hosting their annual School Supplies Drive with United Healthcare and Macy’s. The first 200 fans that donate $5 or $5 worth of school supplies will receive a Todd Dunivant autographed player card and a cooler bag. For more information about Sunday’s game or the School Supplies Drive, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/gameday.
