Robbie Keane

[pineapple stu]

Not to mention the link-up with UCD forged while Giles was manager, which saw a number of Canadians play for both teams (including Dave Norman, who went to the 1986 World Cup)

[EastTerracer]

Not to mention the link-up with UCD forged while Giles was manager, which saw a number of Canadians play for both teams (including Dave Norman, who went to the 1986 World Cup)

Absolutely correct. In fact, I remember seeing UCD play Vancouver to mark the official opening of Belfield Park (or the new dressing rooms at least) in 1981. A wet miserable day and a very muddy pitch if I recall correctly.

I'll never forget what Terry Yorath said to me coming off the pitch that day when I asked for his autograph... "no, f**k off".

As a 10-year old those can be pretty profound words.

[EastTerracer]

An assist for Robbie in the 41st minute against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Galaxy lead 1-0.

[EastTerracer]

Another goal for Robbie (http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=114&id=19198) - free header in the 64th minute but tucked it away in the corner. 2-0 to the Galaxy.

Update: Robbie subbed off after 83 minutes. Finished 3-0 to LA.

[Spudulika]

4-0 according to Yahoo, yet PP have it 3-0, weird.

[EastTerracer]

4-0 according to Yahoo, yet PP have it 3-0, weird.

Galaxy had a goal disallowed near the end so maybe the Yahoo reporter got confused.

[irishfan86]

Yep, 3-0. Terrible marking for Robbie's goal but he took it well. His assist for the 1-0 goal was very good though.

[Wolfie]

None of this can do Robbie any harm.

OK - lower standard but I think the higher Keanes confidence heading into our last games the better.

[EastTerracer]

A 1-0 defeat for the LA Galaxy in Costa Rica last night. Keane played 90 minutes but had very few opportunities as Alajuelense dominated the game and could have won by a much bigger margin. Next game is on Saturday away to the Columbus Crew.

Ba89PBAu3ok

[paul_oshea]

Right im def over in la saturday week just booked today.

Ill head to this as im on my own, i gather its handy enough to walk up and get tickets? Anyone recommend any good pubs there?

[EastTerracer]

Right im def over in la saturday week just booked today.

Ill head to this as im on my own, i gather its handy enough to walk up and get tickets? Anyone recommend any good pubs there?

The Columbus Crew games is this Saturday but you'll still get a game on Saturday week as they're playing Real Salt Lake on October 1st - 7.30 local time.

[boovidge]

Columbus Crew is such a cringeworthy name.

[pineapple stu]

And Real Salt Lake or LA Galaxy aren't?

Every US name is cringeworthy. Bar maybe DC United.

[AlaskaFox]

Vancouver Whitecaps could be a ye olde footballe team name though.

[EastTerracer]

Very surprised to see Trap saying this morning that Robbie can play for the LA Galaxy in New York just 3 days before the Andorra game. He could enforce the FIFA rules and make sure Robbie gets to Dublin earlier but he seems happy to let him play and then fly overnight to Dublin.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0923/1224304619694.html

I have a ticket for the NY Red Bulls v LA Galaxy game so I'll be watching and worrying in case Robbie gets injured.

[Sullivinho]

'San Jose Earthquakes'.

A marginally less unfortunate name than 'Sumatra Tsunamis'.

[theworm2345]

All of these names may not be great but at least those team names aren't trying to pretend they are something they are not. In the US we call our cities by Location and then team name (Utah Jazz, Kansas City Royals, Dallas Cowboys) not "Real Salt Lake," "Sporting Kansas City," or "FC Dallas." Furthermore, we do not sing at sporting matches to support our teams as I have personally witnessed MLS and US national team "fans" futilely attempt to do. Finally, we do not wear scarves really at all, much less at sporting events. For the Galaxy "fans" to have scarves in Southern California (or those in Dallas or Florida) is just completely preposterous. This is one of the bigger reasons I absolutely can't stand the MLS or the US national team or their so-called "fans"...full of complete tools.

[geysir]

Colorado Rapids sounds good, better than say, the Denver Slopes.

[paul_oshea]

Scheisser, I Just realised that i am away for the Andorra game, how did i do this.

Anyway I'm sure chicago an fado and other such places will have it showing :)

[paul_oshea]

All of these names may not be great but at least those team names aren't trying to pretend they are something they are not. In the US we call our cities by Location and then team name (Utah Jazz, Kansas City Royals, Dallas Cowboys) not "Real Salt Lake," "Sporting Kansas City," or "FC Dallas." Furthermore, we do not sing at sporting matches to support our teams as I have personally witnessed MLS and US national team "fans" futilely attempt to do. Finally, we do not wear scarves really at all, much less at sporting events. For the Galaxy "fans" to have scarves in Southern California (or those in Dallas or Florida) is just completely preposterous. This is one of the bigger reasons I absolutely can't stand the MLS or the US national team or their so-called "fans"...full of complete tools.

You wouldn't like the European match day experience very much then :)

Probably as much to do with weather as anything else, but Central and South America don't really wear scarves either. Its just like say a Bruins fan wearing a hockey top.

Thats another thing thats more commonplace in America I notice, less business-casual as smart casual i.e. chinos etc. You wouldn't get that in any respectable working environment over here. But you will also notice people in powerful positions in america, go to an NHL game or a Football game and wear their teams colours. Its one thing I much prefer about America, but I think its just a general more laid back approach to what they wear/appearance. Or maybe they just don't care :D

[Metrostars]

All of these names may not be great but at least those team names aren't trying to pretend they are something they are not. In the US we call our cities by Location and then team name (Utah Jazz, Kansas City Royals, Dallas Cowboys) not "Real Salt Lake," "Sporting Kansas City," or "FC Dallas." Furthermore, we do not sing at sporting matches to support our teams as I have personally witnessed MLS and US national team "fans" futilely attempt to do. Finally, we do not wear scarves really at all, much less at sporting events. For the Galaxy "fans" to have scarves in Southern California (or those in Dallas or Florida) is just completely preposterous. This is one of the bigger reasons I absolutely can't stand the MLS or the US national team or their so-called "fans"...full of complete tools.

Seriously? Is there some "rule" in the US where "teams" have "to" be city"," then team name?

Yes, fans of other sports in the US don't sing to support their teams, they'd rather sit on their arse and eat hot dogs, cracker jacks and cotton candy instead. As for scarves, I guess you just don't get it.

Also, I've been to football matches in Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain and the US and "fans" in the US are just as passionate as "fan" as in other places. In fact, it is even harder to be a fan in the US with the borderline bigoted comments from yanks such as "Soccer is foreign" or "soccer is for sissies/girls" and also snobbish attitudes from Euro-league lovers.

As I've said before on here, I've supported local soccer wherever I've lived. I spent many a rough day at Terryland in my youth and now I bring my young lad to see NY play 5-6 times a season. I don't care it's not of the "quality" of the Prem or La Liga or Serie A etc. Yes it may be shyte but it's our shyte. If people only complain about the quality of their local league, they only have to look themselves in the mirror.

[theworm2345]

Seriously? Is there some "rule" in the US where "teams" have "to" be city"," then team name?
Show me any other team in an American sport with any sort of recognition (lets say as low as water polo or team handball) that uses another method of naming teams. My argument isn't about rules, its about being a tool.

Yes, fans of other sports in the US don't sing to support their teams, they'd rather sit on their arse and eat hot dogs, cracker jacks and cotton candy instead.
Yes because they are there to actually watch the games. It is second nature for fans in England to sing and watch, here it is so clearly forced that it is ridiculous. I'll admit, most Chicago Cubs fans (at least in the bleachers) are just as bad as MLS or US fans (in fact I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same people). The same went for the Blackhawks when they were on their Stanley Cup run (which killed me because before the bandwagoners invaded they actually had decent fans...attendance went from like 10,000 to 21,500 every night). The funniest thing is that they don't even sing American songs when they are attempting to sing, they sing songs they've clearly heard on TV. I remember at the USA - Trinidad and Tobago game they were trying to sing United's song for Ronaldo. However, they were so ridiculously uncreative that the only lyrics to the song were "USA" over and over again.

As for scarves, I guess you just don't get it.
You're right, I don't, because I'm American and we don't bring scarves to support our teams


Also, I've been to football matches in Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain and the US and "fans" in the US are just as passionate as "fan" as in other places. In fact, it is even harder to be a fan in the US with the borderline bigoted comments from yanks such as "Soccer is foreign" or "soccer is for sissies/girls" and also snobbish attitudes from Euro-league lovers.
Yes, any idiot can show up to a game and pretend to care about whats going on in whatever sport is contested. I could show up to the next Fire game and sing my ass off for 90 minutes, because, well, when in Rome. Of course the whole problem there is that we're not in Rome. At the end of the day though most these people would probably be more upset when Manchester United or Chelsea lost (not that they probably actually support those teams either) than whatever team they are watching. I've been on countless buses/trains with people wearing Fire or US jerseys after matches here and they are all giddy and acting like tools so I assume that team must have won. When I get home and find they lost (perhaps got crushed), I'm no longer surprised. Again though, the same thing can be said of Cubs fans and the bandwagoner Blackhawks fans as well. I was on a train full of Blackhawks fans before they went on their Cup run after a loss to the Red Wings once...I don't think a word was said. When the Bears lose the whole city is quiet.


As I've said before on here, I've supported local soccer wherever I've lived. I spent many a rough day at Terryland in my youth and now I bring my young lad to see NY play 5-6 times a season. I don't care it's not of the "quality" of the Prem or La Liga or Serie A etc. Yes it may be shyte but it's our shyte. If people only complain about the quality of their local league, they only have to look themselves in the mirror.
I have no problem with the quality of the league, in fact I appreciate it to some degree because it gives many players from the Caribbean a chance to play professionally that they may not otherwise have had. However I certainly can't be bothered watching it.

[WexCar]

Show me any other team in an American sport with any sort of recognition (lets say as low as water polo or team handball) that uses another method of naming teams. My argument isn't about rules, its about being a tool.

Toronto FC, Golden State Warriors.

I dont really get the whole argument over team names, in all fairness whats really the difference between rovers, argyle, celtic, wanderers, united, hotspur & whitecaps, rapids, galaxy, union, timbers, dynamos.

The serve no purpose only to distinguish each team from all other sports team operating in the same area.

[theworm2345]

Toronto FC, Golden State Warriors.

I dont really get the whole argument over team names, in all fairness whats really the difference between rovers, argyle, celtic, wanderers, united, hotspur & whitecaps, rapids, galaxy, union, timbers, dynamos.

The serve no purpose only to distinguish each team from all other sports team operating in the same area.
I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Toronto FC, though Canadian, use the same European scheme I mentioned before and they are a soccer team. As for the Warriors, their location name is a bit different but its the same formula (Location then Team Name). I thought my argument on team names was pretty clear from my post.

[EastTerracer]

No Robbie Keane for the LA Galaxy tonight. They have rested a number of players after their midweek game so Keane and Beckham get the weekend off.

Considering LA have already qualified for the playoffs it is amazing that Keane has been allowed to play in New York just three days before the game in Andorra.

[Yard of Pace]

No Robbie Keane for the LA Galaxy tonight. They have rested a number of players after their midweek game so Keane and Beckham get the weekend off.

Considering LA have already qualified for the playoffs it is amazing that Keane has been allowed to play in New York just three days before the game in Andorra.

It's absolutely disgraceful is what it is.

[Crosby87]

They pay his wages, I guess the expect him to play sometimes? Its not like he has been there 2 years and jelled with his teammates either.

[EastTerracer]

They pay his wages, I guess the expect him to play sometimes? Its not like he has been there 2 years and jelled with his teammates either.

but it's not their decision when it comes to a competitive international - FIFA rules say they have to release players five days before a competitive game. If Trap said Robbie has to be in Dublin on Monday morning then LA have to release him. On this occasion Trapattoni has given them an exemption but it leaves the impression that he is not taking the Andorra game seriously.

[IsMiseSean]

I don't understand this decision. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this a nothing game for LA having already made the playoffs, so why risk injury when we've got a massive double-header days later.
Maybe Trap is thinking of playing Doyle & Long upfront in Andorra?? That's the only explanation I can come up with...

[Stuttgart88]

but it's not their decision when it comes to a competitive international - FIFA rules say they have to release players five days before a competitive game. If Trap said Robbie has to be in Dublin on Monday morning then LA have to release him. On this occasion Trapattoni has given them an exemption but it leaves the impression that he is not taking the Andorra game seriously.

Maybe Trap has a mental image of Robbie's miss against Slovakia. He is envisaging the same chance in Andorra. Doyle, Long, Walters...

Positive and all that I am about Keane, his undroppable status irks me.

Isn't Andorra's pitch a ploughed field? Maybe Trap is preparing to take a physical approach.

I agree that the fact that LA has already qualified makes this a strange decision. Why rest him for the next game and then play him 72 hours before an Ireland game? Why not play him now and then rest him?

[Yard of Pace]

Emmet Malone mentioned that the game is being played in Newark, or somewhere like that, where there's a huge Irish community. Maybe they want him to play because of that. Maybe I'm just an old cynic but I think it's all a bit strange.
As for Trap dropping Keane against Andorra anyway, I don't think that would happen. I reckon if we win it'll be by a slender margin and you want your top goalscorer on the pitch. And does Trap EVER change his tactics because of the opposition? I don't think so, though I can't remember much about the first Andorra game.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is there a chance that he'll be better off playing a competitive league game than playing against a vastly inferior international team?

[paul_oshea]

Ya and what about Andorra.

[Yard of Pace]

Is there a chance that he'll be better off playing a competitive league game than playing against a vastly inferior international team?

He's already fit and sharp and in good form. If it's 20 minutes to go in Andorra and it's 0-0 I would like a 100% Keane available, not a lad who was playing just a few days before across the Atlantic. This things is absolutely ridiculous, imo. What if he picks up a knock?

[SkStu]

Is there a chance that he'll be better off playing a competitive league game than playing against a vastly inferior international team?

as Irish fans we should be concerned with having our strongest team fit, fresh and able to play, not with what is best for Robbie Keane or LAX. Those are secondary to the bigger picture, that is, what is best for Ireland FC.

[EastTerracer]

It looks like common sense may have prevailed http://www.lagconfidential.com/2011/9/25/2448977/robbie-keane-to-miss-match-with-new-york-red-bulls

According to "sources" Robbie won't be playing in New York (sorry New Jersey - Crosby gets upset about that).

[tetsujin1979]

No face off between Robbie and Henry then?

[EastTerracer]

No face off between Robbie and Henry then?

There won't be any showdown unless they meet in the playoffs (the Red Bulls might just drag themselves over the line). Don't forget there was a "friendly" showdown between the two last summer (2010) when Spurs played the Red Bulls in a pre-season game.

It was quite funny when Henry went in for the big hug with Robbie before the game but Keano just shook his hand instead....

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ITJeVtXPH3M/TEmWF-xohII/AAAAAAAAAZE/rr8DnfVz2iE/s800/103042731.jpg

[cclinton]

Robbie not playing in CCL tonight due to heal injury:

"Picked up a heel injury in a CCL game against Morelia and aggravated it further while playing against LD Alajuelense.
“He had the injury before that. He played hurt in that last game. Maybe it was a mistake playing him. That surface was a joke. It’s like playing on this right here,” head coach Bruce Arena said, slamming his foot down on a concrete pavement, he was standing on. “It’s not good.”

[BonnieShels]

An injury? Suuuuuuuuuure...

Is this a first where a player will be "injured" for a club game but will show up for an international the next week?

Gwan de Robbie!!!

[tetsujin1979]

Heel injuries can be nasty, I bruised my left heel almost a month ago and it's still a little sore to walk on. Climbing stairs was torture for the first week

[Junior]

Heel injuries can be nasty, I bruised my left heel almost a month ago and it's still a little sore to walk on. Climbing stairs was torture for the first week

Your back in the attic now I hope pulling together our much needed stats.

[tetsujin1979]

Your back in the attic now I hope pulling together our much needed stats.
it's my broadband provider that's stopping me from doing that, over a month since I ordered it and still not activated

[theworm2345]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1008/keaner.html

[Morbo]

If Keane doesn't play Id like to see Fahey start. I think Trap could be tempted to go with a 5 man midfield in a game where he just needs a draw and Fahey should still prove to be a goal threat, after-all he has already scored against them.

[Colbert Report]

No way Trap goes with a five man midfield. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Besides, if we go a goal or two down early (which is very possible), we'll need two strikers on the pitch to claw us even. Walters or Long will start, probably Long. I hope Keane isn't fit for it, he's been a great servant to this country but his time has come.

[Morbo]

No way Trap goes with a five man midfield. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Trap did say he was considering going with 5 in midfield against Russia before both the draw with Slovakia. It wouldn't require him to dramatically alter his tactics, only difference is that Fahey would play a bit deeper than Keane.



Besides, if we go a goal or two down early (which is very possible), we'll need two strikers on the pitch to claw us even. Walters or Long will start, probably Long. I hope Keane isn't fit for it, he's been a great servant to this country but his time has come.
On the flip side of that with only 4 in midfield we are more likely to be overrun and go a goal down in the first place and if you do go a goal down its not as if you can't bring a 2nd striker on off the bench. If long is fit Id go with him, if not I'd like to see Fahey start.

[Scooby Doo]

Not a fan of invading the team's privacy and all, but this photo has cropped up on YBIG and I think suggests that Robbie is indeed out of Tuesday's game! :(

Unless kareoke is a radical new form of physiotherapy, that is.

http://twitpic.com/6xw1w8

[Sullivinho]

Not a fan of invading the team's privacy and all, but this photo has cropped up on YBIG and I think suggests that Robbie is indeed out of Tuesday's game! :(

Unless kareoke is a radical new form of physiotherapy, that is.

http://twitpic.com/6xw1w8

I'm utterly disgusted....





...by his choice of Garth Brooks.

Although he redeemed himself by dedicating 'Friends in Low Places' to Northern Ireland.

[Scooby Doo]

Back for both legs of the play-off according to quotes in today's Star! :good: