IN-FORM IRELAND STRIKER Robbie Keane was on the mark again as he got his hands on some silverware last night.
The Dubliner led the LA Galaxy to the Western Conference title despite a 2-1 away defeat to the Seattle Sounders.
The defending champions advanced to the final of the MLS Cup Playoffs thanks to a 4-2 aggregate.
Earlier, Houston Dynamo set up a rematch with LA in the decider after they prevailed in their semi-final.
Houston managed a 1-1 draw away to DC United in the second leg of their tie on Sunday, enough for a 4-2 aggregate win and a place in the season decider on December 1.
LA and Houston met in the final of the 2011 MLS Cup, when Landon Donovan’s goal saw Galaxy win 1-0 and record their third championship victory in the competition’s history. Houston earned a shot at avenging that defeat thanks to Oscar Boniek Garcia’s 33rd-minute strike at RFK Stadium.
Branko Boskovic got one back for DC with seven minutes remaining, but it arrived too late for the home side to mount a fight-back.
Later, goals from Eddie Johnson and Zach Scott saw the Sounders take a 2-0 lead at home to the Galaxy, and close to within one goal of levelling their series. But Keane struck on 68 minutes from the spot to restore LA’s two-goal cushion, and the Sounders proved unable to force a way back into the contest.
Their challenge ended on a sour note when Osvaldo Alonso was sent off five minutes into time added on.
I voted yes. He is the “in-form” Irish striker in the Premiership this season. Fair enough, Best has scored a few goals but his all round play isn’t as good as Walters. The Stoke man offers pace, strength, work rate and can bang in a goal or two.
Would it be mental to put McCarthy or Fahey in behind Keane?
Yip, it would. We need a physical presence up front. Jon Walters is the man.
What about Skokes? Maybe manager should be looking at what’s best for team and putting personal differences behind him…
yes i agree stokes is the manor best
Stokes?? Are you for real??
I feel it would be foolish to play an extra man in midfield because the team is used to playing together in a 442. Probably not a good idea to go messing about with players and tactics. If keane was up front on his own he would forget to stay on the central defenders toes and be running all over the place. We need the physical presence of Walters in the frontline battle.
Walters deserves a shot. He was impressive during his cameo versus Armenia. Dont forget the cat is no in the bag!
No, he should stick to the journalism !!
:)
I would be very happy if Walters starts. He is a prescene but much more than a “big man” up front. Has a good first touch and a decent range of passing. We have a surprisingly decent range of options up front at the moment with Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters, Cox and Best. If Conor Sammon starts to get a bit more playing time at Wigan he could sharpen up too
Eh Ch’yeah!
yes walters should start up front with robbie keane,we have to stay with a 4 4 2 formation and go for it
Personally I would choose Walters up front with Best. Keane is rusty and his best days are behind him! Either way a One nil to us will set us up nicely.
Scored a great goal for Galaxy last week? I think Doyle being sent off v Armenia showed us the potential of Walters up front on his own..
James McCarthy – good player, should be starting every game
Perry groves !!!