LA GALAXY STAR David Beckham has praised the contribution of his Irish clubmate Robbie Keane.

The reigning champions lost three of their first four MLS matches in a disappointing start to their title defence, but have lifted in recent times with successive wins against the Portland Timbers and the Colorado Rapids.

And Beckham thinks the team is working together more than they did in the early stages of the campaign.

“The last two games were definitely a lot better than the last three or four,” Beckham said. ”We seem to be coming together a bit more, we have a bit more understanding as a team and individuals and I think we are definitely in a better position now.”

And the former England skipper reckons Giovanni Trapattoni’s captain, who has scored three goals in six appearances this season, is key.

“That is what Robbie (Keane) does, he comes looking for the ball, he did it at Tottenham (Hotspur), he’s done it against every team he plays against,” he said. ”Of course, it is a great position for me to have him there because I can find him.

“He creates his own spaces, he creates space for the other players and it’s great to have a player like that, that knows where to run and to come and get the ball.”

Keane feels the Galaxy have built some good momentum with their recent performances.

“When you are winning games it breeds confidence into the team and hopefully that has been the case of late,” Keane said. ”We just have to continue now for Saturday, we have a good momentum about us and we just need to keep going.”

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