CARSON, Calif. – Robbie Keane proclaimed he was looking forward to “getting some minutes in the second half” when the LA Galaxy on Saturday night take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at StubHub Center (10:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US, TSN2 in Canada).
Don't believe him.
The Irish striker returned from a seven-week absence from a groin injury with 35 minutes in a victory over Houston two weeks ago, then played all of the second half in the win five days later against Real Salt Lake. Now, after staying off the artificial turf at New England last weekend, it's time for Keane to log some real minutes.
“He's doing fine,” head coach Bruce Arena said this week. “He's had about two weeks of training to get back, so, hopefully, he'll be a little bit sharper.
“I haven't decided yet [if he'll start]. I think Robbie Keane should be on the field as long as we can get him on the field. So we want to get him in a starting role as soon as possible. Whether it's this weekend or the following remains to be seen.”
Keane won't be around the following weekend – he'll be away for Ireland's European Championship qualifier against Scotland with LA visiting Columbus on June 13 – but it sure appears likely the Galaxy captain will make his first start since suffering a groin injury in an April 4 loss at Vancouver.
Not that he's saying so.
“We'll have to see,” Keane said during his weekly media availability when asked if was ready to start, “but I think the second half is probably the most clever decision at the moment.”
It's not easy to keep Keane off the field when he's healthy, and, by all accounts, he's healthy – perhaps hinted at with a wink and smile as he left the scrum.
“Right now I feel good. I feel really good,” he said. “Just about being clever. Physical-wise, just making sure we don't try to push it too much so it sets you back. I don't feel like it will, but I think we've just been overcautious.”
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Now it's about building game fitness, and that comes only with on-field time. Arena concedes that he “wouldn't think he's able to go 90 minutes.”
The Galaxy are getting healthier, even after suffering three more injuries in last weekend's draw with the Revolution. A.J. DeLaGarza could be back on the 18-man game roster after missing the last three games with foot and groin issues, and Alan Gordon says he's ready to go after departing last week as his calf tightened.
Forward Jose Villarreal, who left the New England game with a sprained shoulder moments after a brilliant back heel set up Gyasi Zardes' goal, won't be available, and there isn't a timeline yet for his return. Villarreal missed six games earlier with a hamstring strain.
Right back Dan Gargan, who left the New England game with a groin strain, might be available, depending on how he feels Saturday.
