The LA Galaxy season may be over, but LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will spend the next few weeks offering an evaluation of each member of the squad. VIEW CALENDAR
The LA Galaxy Player Ratings will begin with players who appeared in the least number of games this season starting with goalkeeper Brian Rowe and concluding with Sean Franklin who played in all 34 of the club’s regular season games. There will also be an evaluation of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena and his moves at the conclusion of the list.
We will have two to three evaluations per day and focus on what each player did well, what they need to improve on ahead of next season as well as a select thought from the player on their performance and a rating from myself out of four stars.
ROBBIE KEANE
AGE: 32
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS: GP: 37 [6 in MLS Cup Playoffs, 3 in CONCACAF Championship League], MIN: 3309, G: 23 [6 in MLS Cup Playoffs, 1 in CCL], A: 10 [1 in MLS Cup Playoffs]
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: None
Keane makes it 3-0 LA in game one vs SEA
HIGHLIGHTS: Once Robbie Keane returned from the 2012 European Championships, no player in MLS was more productive than the Irishman. After his late June return, Keane tallied an impressive 14 goals and seven assists in 19 regular season games. This renaissance coincided with LA’s rise up the standings as the club went an 11-4-3 in that period, but Keane saved his best performances for the postseason. Whenever the Galaxy needed a goal, the Irishman answered the call. Each of his six postseason goals came at pivotal times for the Galaxy, but his performances in the Western Conference Semifinal Second Leg against the San Jose Earthquakes and Western Conference Championship against Seattle Sounders FC standout above the rest. During that three game period, Keane scored five of his six goals as he led the club to their second straight MLS Cup appearance. The Irishman would get his sixth and final goal of the postseason in the closing moments of MLS Cup as he scored on a penalty kick to seal LA’s 3-1 MLS Cup win.
LOWLIGHTS: Prior to departing for the 2012 European Championships, Keane was admittedly not in his best form. Perhaps worn down due to an offseason loan with Aston Villa, Keane tallied just three goals and two assists in the 11 appearances in all competitions prior to departing for international duty. During the 11 game spell, Keane also battled through injury specifically a right hamstring tightness that prevented him from appearing in LA’s 1-0 loss to Chivas USA on May 19.
HIS THOUGHTS: “I don't to speak about myself too much. The most important thing about football is the team and being surrounded by players that help you. You can't win a game on your own. I've been very fortunate. We are a good team and we've been helping each other. The team's helped me score goals and if I can help them since I've been here, so great.” - Keane on Dec. 1 speaking on his growth with the Galaxy.
RATING: FOUR STARS
In his first full season in MLS, Robbie Keane took his place among the finest strikers in the league. Throughout the postseason, Keane’s heroics made the difference for the Galaxy as his performances in the second legs of the Conference Semifinal and Conference Championship proved decisive. But Keane’s impact wasn’t merely felt on the field as his service as the club’s vice-captain afforded him an important leadership role with the club’s younger players. With David Beckham departing the club and Landon Donovan’s status still in question, the Galaxy may very well become Keane’s team in 2013.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
