Robbie Keane

[tricky_colour]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lI0hgc_ZcEo/TeLXdRxCBLI/AAAAAAAABS0/8WCOQ2cROnA/s400/robbie%2Bcarling%2Bnations%2Bcup.jpg
Silverware you say?

I was talking about silverware not Mickey Mouse Cups :p

http://www.infobarrel.com/media/image/38973.jpg

[Closed Account]

I was talking about silverware not Mickey Mouse Cups :p

In fairness, if that's Mickey Mouse, then the MLS cup is a Daffy Duck Cup. Neither of which I'd argue with.

[SkStu]

this argument is really goofy.

[Bayern Munchies]

Someone counting the nations cup as silverware...somebody is taking the Mickey...

[Eminence Grise]

Well, it only had four teams. It was more of a Minnie tournament...

[geysir]

3 and a bit nations.

[French Toasht]

1 nation, a principality and two dominions.

[DannyInvincible]

Robbie starting "up top" tonight for LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup. Stream here for anyone interested: http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4ebc488080489

[Predator]

I was talking about silverware not Mickey Mouse Cups :p

http://www.infobarrel.com/media/image/38973.jpg


In fairness, if that's Mickey Mouse, then the MLS cup is a Daffy Duck Cup. Neither of which I'd argue with.


this argument is really goofy.


Someone counting the nations cup as silverware...somebody is taking the Mickey...


Well, it only had four teams. It was more of a Minnie tournament...
The Scot might say that Disney add up.

[theworm2345]

I can't tell if the MLS people are just stupid (they put the game at the same time as Sunday Night Football which I assure you Americans much prefer) or shrewd (this way no one will see the low standard of the league) for putting the match at this time on a Sunday. I won't be watching this crap or SNF.

[boovidge]

The league may be crap but at least it's their league, unlike the EPL.

[Charlie Darwin]

I can't tell if the MLS people are just stupid (they put the game at the same time as Sunday Night Football which I assure you Americans much prefer) or shrewd (this way no one will see the low standard of the league) for putting the match at this time on a Sunday. I won't be watching this crap or SNF.
Wait, you won't watch the MLS final but you'll watch Ireland?

[theworm2345]

Wait, you won't watch the MLS final but you'll watch Ireland?
I don't see the comparison.

[Colbert Report]

I actually enjoyed watching the last LA Galaxy match but this is painful to watch so far. The quality is the lowest I've ever seen, and this is the Championship game!

[Charlie Darwin]

It's not too bad, typical final really. LA are playing all the football, Houston just defending.

[DannyInvincible]

The quality of play has been pretty abysmal. Galaxy are dominating but are wasting chance after chance. One shot on target between both sides in the first half says it all really.

[DannyInvincible]

Robbie just missed a decent chance. Dragged the ball wide shooting across goal from a tight enough angle with defenders chasing.

[Charlie Darwin]

Juts had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside.

[DannyInvincible]

He's getting into the game a lot more this half.

[richieos]

Keane looks like Usain Bolt in this league

[DannyInvincible]

Robbie just sent Donovan through to put Galaxy 1-0 up.

[Charlie Darwin]

When Donovan scored in the semi final, LA conceded within a minute...

[Charlie Darwin]

In spite of the goal, Robbie and Donovan have absolutely no chemistry. I don't think they've even looked at one another the entire game.

[richieos]

Lads does anyone know why Galaxy are allowed play the final at their own stadium?

@Charlie Darwin: agreed, donovan had an easy chance to put keane through but waited too long untill keane had strayed offside

[Charlie Darwin]

Haha nevermind they just ran over to one another and had a big hug. But on the field they don't seem to be on the same page.

I think LA were always going to win provided they got the first goal. Houston only ever looked like they could nick a flukey goal and never threatened after going 1 down.

Congrats to Robbie! He can put his medal right behind his prized Carling Nations Cup medal.

[cclinton]

Lads does anyone know why Galaxy are allowed play the final at their own stadium?

@Charlie Darwin: agreed, donovan had an easy chance to put keane through but waited too long untill keane had strayed offside

Location of final in MLS has always been decided months in advance. As "soccer specific stadiums" were being built it was at one time a reward for the folks who made the investment. It was announced yesterday that for 2012 the final game will be at the home field of the team that finishes with the best "regular" season record.

[richieos]

Am i losing my eyesight or was it near impossible to see the ball at times during that match?

[pineapple stu]

I won't be watching this crap or SNF.

I don't see the comparison.
In the greater scheme of things, Ireland are crap too. Makes no sense to watch them and openly spurn other similar-standard football.

[Dodge]

Am i losing my eyesight or was it near impossible to see the ball at times during that match?
A combination of a silver ball and it being 3 am definitely didn't help.

Think the game wasn't helped by the conditions. Looked very wet and the pitch wasn't great. Better team won

[OwlsFan]

In the greater scheme of things, Ireland are crap too. Makes no sense to watch them and openly spurn other similar-standard football.

Yes it does. It's our crap and if it's successful, who cares. However, I wouldn't be bothered watching others doing the same thing.


Congrats to Robbie! He can put his medal right behind his prized Carling Nations Cup medal.

Since it is more than likely the only medal he is going to win in an Irish jersey or any of us see him win in the green, it should be prized.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Off work so just watched a recording of the game. Did ok, had a perfectly good goal disallowed and set up the winner. Delighted to see him win it and it does cap off a great week for him.

Have to say the standard was very low grade though, would still prefer to see him playing at a higher level but as long as he keeps doing it in green then he can do what he likes. He deserves that much after all he's given for Ireland. Well done Robbie!

[theworm2345]

In the greater scheme of things, Ireland are crap too. Makes no sense to watch them and openly spurn other similar-standard football.
This is no similar standard and I have no problem with the standard of football...I've watched Ryman League matches, I've watched matches like Aruba vs Saint Lucia or Anguilla vs Puerto Rico, and even a match from the Greenlandic league...I can't put my finger on what it is but the MLS is an incredibly boring league, must be the style of play. That doesn't change the fact that the quality is about League One standard though.

[pineapple stu]

Yes it does. It's our crap and if it's successful, who cares. However, I wouldn't be bothered watching others doing the same thing.
Well, my point was that the MLS is theworm's crap too (cos he's based in America). Horses for courses, of course, but there's definitely a comparison.

[Metrostars]

Well, my point was that the MLS is theworm's crap too (cos he's based in America). Horses for courses, of course, but there's definitely a comparison.
Soccer snobbery exists everywhere. I like to support my local league not matter how crap it is and I don't give a shyte what other people think of it.

[theworm2345]

Well, my point was that the MLS is theworm's crap too (cos he's based in America). Horses for courses, of course, but there's definitely a comparison.


Soccer snobbery exists everywhere. I like to support my local league not matter how crap it is and I don't give a shyte what other people think of it.
I think you'll find I do support my local league by paying my league dues and playing in it. The quality obviously isn't even MLS standard but for me I'd rather watch matches I'm not involved in there and you've actually a decent chance of seeing a fight. The MLS doesn't even have a team in Chicago (and I don't like the suburbs) so why would I support it anyway?

Anyway, congratulations to Robbie (and Chris Birchall), whether its Champions League or Sunday League its always nice to win.

[Charlie Darwin]

Chicago Fire surely?

[theworm2345]

Chicago Fire surely?
Bridgeview Fire, though I didn't care about the team when they did play in Chicago, and thats certainly far from the main reason I don't care about the team or the league. Every other top-level professional team we have named Chicago plays in the city though.

[Acornvilla]

Arent they just new or only joining next season, or did I dream that

[BonnieShels]

Soccer snobbery exists everywhere. I like to support my local league not matter how crap it is and I don't give a shyte what other people think of it.

Welcome to the LOI!

[tricky_colour]

Am i losing my eyesight or was it near impossible to see the ball at times during that match?


It is really hard to see, it's a silver/grey and there is hardly any contrast with the grass
it would be almost invisible apart from the what seems to be the reflection of the flood lights off it.
Totally stupid colour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD_IGchY5rw&feature=related

[Colbert Report]

I could barely see the ball and actually turned the match off at half-time because of this. Nice job at trying to attract new fans, MLS.

[cclinton]

Bridgeview Fire, though I didn't care about the team when they did play in Chicago, and thats certainly far from the main reason I don't care about the team or the league. Every other top-level professional team we have named Chicago plays in the city though.

wow. Interesting. If you did not bother with the Fire in it's early days you missed watching a very good team and some very good players, Peter Novak specifically. More recently you would have missed Brian McBride and Cautemac Blanco who were quality even at the end of their careers. I really would wonder what you are looking for....

As for Bridgeview, ..come on, it's not that far from downtown Chicago, a 20 min drive at most from downtown Chicago and closer than O'Hare airport and equal to Midway. ... by your definition, Chicago does not have an airport ;-)

[Murfinator]

I had no problem seeing the ball.

[Metrostars]

Listen, Worm has his reasons for not supporting MLS and that's fine. He doesn't like the fans, the American players, doesn't like the standard. What is puzzle however, is his need to put it down at every opportunity.

[tricky_colour]

You must have good eye sight or a maladjusted TV then!
It looks like a ball bearing and it seem smaller than a normal white ball.
If you pause the video at 1.05 the ball is not too easy to pick out.

[theworm2345]

As for Bridgeview, ..come on, it's not that far from downtown Chicago, a 20 min drive at most from downtown Chicago and closer than O'Hare airport and equal to Midway. ... by your definition, Chicago does not have an airport ;-)
Downtown is not the whole of Chicago. O'Hare and Midway are both in Chicago and help to support the city. Bridgeview is a suburb of Chicago, so they're basically just capitalizing on our good name but adding little to the city, much like most suburbs. I've no problem openly saying I've never been a fan of the suburbs or suburbanites. Again, thats only one small reason I don't like the MLS or the Fire and I didn't like either before they moved.


Listen, Worm has his reasons for not supporting MLS and that's fine. He doesn't like the fans, the American players, doesn't like the standard. What is puzzle however, is his need to put it down at every opportunity.
Again I have no problem with the standard, as I said I've watched some matches which make the worst teams MLS look like Barcelona and Real Madrid, so much as the thing I can't put my finger on which makes it so boring (maybe its slower? I can't tell I very rarely bother to even make an effort to watch). If any of you remember watching the Ireland - Croatia friendly in August (and specifically towards the end) thats what it feels like for me watching MLS matches. With that being said though, its not a good enough standard to contribute players to the Boys in Green, barring the extreme example of Keane who hasn't exactly looked sharp in Ireland matches since moving there, even with the sitter and peno against Estonia.

I believe I've mentioned before though that I have no problem with the actual league, I think its even a positive in giving Caribbean players a chance to play professionally close to home. Its these players that I watch in my rare attempts to do so, but even then I usually don't make it through 90 minutes. Its more what surrounds the league (as Metrostars alluded to).

[dr_peepee]

Yes it does. It's our crap...

A person likes the smell of their own "brew"!!

[EastTerracer]

Robbie scored against Indonesia this morning - only a friendly for LA Galaxy though!
E1BQDWXK7u8

[Serb]

Robbie scored against Indonesia this morning - only a friendly for LA Galaxy though!

Reasonable finish. I realise it's a friendly, but it's depressingly poor quality football.

[Closed Account]

Keane is taking a well earned break, and who can argue with him
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/08/keane-turns-down-loan-deals-recover-busy-2012?
(http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/08/keane-turns-down-loan-deals-recover-busy-2012?)
Robbie Keane is still in demand in Europe during this MLS offseason, but the LA Galaxy striker couldn't care less.

Despite having received calls from clubs across the pond, Keane said he is interested in only one thing now that his participation with the Galaxy in 2011 is complete.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to relax,” Keane said. “I have a few niggles to clear up and will look forward to getting back in January.”

Keane, 31, has enjoyed stellar success in the brief time he has been a member of the Galaxy. He scored in his LA debut, added another reg ular season goal, scored in CONCACAF Champions League play and had a goal in the Galaxy’s successful MLS Cup playoff run. LA's MLS Cup title, in which he contributed the game-winning assist in the final, was followed by an Asia Pacific tour that featured matches in Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia, where Keane starred again.

Along the way, he also fulfilled his duty as Republic of Ireland captain, helping his country secure a spot in Euro 2012 – just the second time ever Ireland have reached a European Championship.It’s clearly time for a break.“It would be stupid to go anywhere to play for a couple of weeks off,” he said.

“It’s been a tough schedule for me for the last three months, doing a lot of traveling once a month since I’ve been here.”

If Keane were to arrange for a loan deal during the offseason, he would have little rest by the time Euro 2012 comes around.“

That’s the reason why I’m going to take the rest off now,” Keane said. “I’ve been getting a few phone calls from various clubs, but I’ll take this time off now to rest. I’ll be only a few months into the season, so I should be fit [for the Euros], where the lads back in the UK have a long, long season ahead of them without any rest.”

Having spent his entire career in Europe prior to joining MLS, Keane has been accustomed to playing through winters until this year. Although the offseason comes at a different part of the calendar, Keane’s approach to this offseason will remain the same.“

I’ll just do exactly what I do in the offseason if I was in England,” Keane said. “I’ll take these weeks to relax. I feel it a little bit, I feel a few niggles here and there. I’ll take a good few weeks off and look forward to getting back.”