FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The last image that the New England Revolution have of LA Galaxy Designated Player Robbie Keane is watching him pull off his trademark post-goal somersault last December.
As the two clubs get set to square off on Sunday, in their first meeting since the Irish international buried the game-winner in last year’s MLS Cup, the Revolution are well aware of the dangers that he poses. That is, of course, if he plays at all.
“He’s one of the best,” head coach Jay Heaps said. “He’s elusive. Sometimes he’s high up on the field, sometimes he underneath, sometimes he’s on the flank. He has a sixth sense of where he can show up to throw off the numbers, and then when he gets the ball he’s pretty much unmatched.”
“He’s so unpredictable,” said Andrew Farrell. “Sometimes he checks away and he’s looking for the ball behind. Sometimes he checks away, comes back, gets the ball and turns and he’s just dangerous. He’s not the fastest guy, but his runs are so perfect that you’ve got to be tuned in for 90 minutes at 100 percent.”
In last year’s MLS Cup Final, Keane found the right seam to expose, making a run into the left side of the box, controlling a long pass from
Marcelo Sarvas
and slotting to the far post past
Bobby Shuttleworth
in extra
time.
He also torched the Revs during the regular season last year, scoring twice and adding two assists in a 5-1 blowout.
Keane continues to work back to full fitness, having subbed in to the Galaxy’s last two matches after missing seven due to a groin injury, but New England know that anything short of their full focus will be a mistake – whether or not the Irishman actually takes the field.
“I think we will be focused on him,” said Jermaine Jones. “He’s a key player on that team, of course.”
“All eyes will be on him,” added Charlie Davies.
Adding to the intrigue in facing the LA attack is the fact that the Revolution will be without stalwart Chris Tierney at left back after the veteran picked up a red card last Saturday against D.C. United.
With that in mind, New England know there won’t be any room for error against a relentless side that is looking to find the winning ways they are accustomed to.
“There’s no one play you can take off,” said Davies. “As a defender sometimes you want to take those times to catch your breath and look around to see where other guys are. They also have other guys that are really with it, so you can’t just focus on one guy. We have a great team, looking forward to this one.”
