MLS Cup: Robbie Keane fires Los Angeles Galaxy to victory over New England Revolution
Monday 8 December 2014 11:14, UK
Robbie Keane scored a dramatic extra-time winner to clinch the MLS Cup for Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.
The former Tottenham and Liverpool striker latched on to a lofted through-ball and slotted past the goalkeeper right at the death to secure a 2-1 win over New England Revolution.
It provided former USA international and Everton loanee Landon Donovan the perfect retirement present as the 32-year-old brought down the curtain on a superb career.
Gyasi Zardes fired the Galaxy ahead in the second half before Chris Tierney levelled late on to take the game to a thrilling extra-time.
Ireland international Keane, named MLS’s MVP last week, ended a fantastic season with his 20th goal of the campaign that earned Galaxy a record fifth Cup.
But his side were made to work for it, after Stefan Ishizaki whipped in a cross from the right and Zardes took three neat touches before firing Galaxy into a 1-0 lead with his right foot on 52 minutes.
There's lots of excitement around this league, so I'm glad to have been a part of it. It's just the end of the playing part - I'll still be around.
Keane had a golden opportunity to add the second in the 70th minute but New England keeper Bobby Shuttleworth was equal to his top-poke finish.
But Tierney to applied a smart finish to a low cross to equalise nine minutes later.
Extra-time was inevitably tight and tetchy but, when a long ball came over the top, Keane kept onside and finished in typical fashion for one of the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorers.
"It was a tough game," Keane said. "I think there was a lot of nerves there, I think by both teams.
"I think we didn't play as well as we know we can at home, but it doesn't really matter. At the end of the day, we won, and we're the champions again."
Donovan added: "There's games that you play during the year where you're not at your best.
"We weren't at our best today we know that. But in those moments you have to find a way to stay in it. We stayed in it, we waited for the play that we needed and we made the play.
"There's lots of excitement around this league, so I'm glad to have been a part of it. It's just the end of the playing part - I'll still be around."
