CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy have had to make do without their captain Robbie Keane for the past two matches, but once their MLS schedule resumes, they hope to have Irish forward back in the lineup.
Since suffering a left hip flexor strain in the second half of LA’s 2-1 defeat to the Portland Timbers on July 13, Keane has been unavailable, but made his return to the training ground this week. The Irish forward hasn’t begun full training just yet, but took part briefly in Tuesday’s session.
Although appearing in this week’s Guinness International Championship Cup matches seems like a no go for Keane, he’s got his sights on being ready for next Sunday’s match against FC Dallas.
“Hopefully, I can get minutes before [the Dallas game] that. This is just my second day today, so let’s see how it holds up. I wasn’t supposed to do the training with the team, but because I felt good, I wanted to do it,” said Keane. “The trainer’s schedule is a little bit different than my schedule, but I know my own body and I felt good today. As long as I keep going, I’m training again tomorrow with the team and do some extra work afterward, we’ll see how I feel.”
Various international absences and injuries have limited Keane to just 12 games this season, but the forward has contributed plenty when available with team highs in goals (seven) and assists (eight).
Although Keane won’t be on the field for this week’s ICC matches, he will be in attendance and offer a few words of encouragement to the squad’s younger players.
“Just go out and enjoy it. We know that it’s going to be a tough game and the chance to win is probably nil,” said Keane. “We know that it is going to be difficult, but it’s good for [the team] to just go out and enjoy themselves and appreciate how these players play, and also do their best.”
