Soccer:After helping the Republic of Ireland qualify for the Euro 2012 finals, Robbie Keane rounded off a memorable week by helping the LA Galaxy capture the MLS Cup last night with a 1-0 triumph over the Houston Dynamo. Landon Donovan scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper as the Galaxy claimed their first championship since 2005 and third in the past decade.
The Galaxy deserved the victory after dominating the contest to secure a victory that validates the franchise's lucrative investment in a star-studded line-up. With David Beckham, who arrived in 2007, Keane and Donovan in the squad, the side has three 'designated players' paid above salary cap restrictions and anything less than a title victory would have been deemed a failure.
After capturing the Supporters' Shield for the best record in the regular season, it was perhaps fitting that the team's three big-name players rose to the occasion by combining for Donovan's well-taken goal.
The winning attack started with Beckham winning an aerial battle by heading forward to Keane, whose defence-splitting pass put Donovan through on goal and he calmly slotted the ball past Tally Hall.
Keane admitted that fatigue had got to him in the closing stages. "It was a very tiring week, to be honest," he said. "I was a bit tired tonight. The travelling got to me a little bit towards the end. Six games in two weeks - it's a bit tough, but we won and that's the main thing."
