When Robbie Keane fails to convert penalties, the Galaxy lose. At least, that’s the key indicator this season. On opening night, Nick Rimando’s stoppage time save of Keane’s try from the spot secured a 1-0 win for Real Salt Lake. Tonight in Commerce City, Colo., Keane pushed a second half attempt wide of the right post, allowing Colorado to claim a 1-0 win over the visiting Galaxy.
The win was a near-180 degree turnaround for a Rapids team that was routed last week in Seattle, but after clever Vicente Sánchez chip from the right of goal gave the home side a lead after 20 minutes, Colorado was able to leverage the solidity Pablo Mastroeni’s instilled to see out the one-goal win.
Though LA, the league’s best possession team, kept 58 percent of the ball, they were only able to put four of their 16 shots on target. With four shots on target as well as Deshorn Brown’s test of Jaime Penedo’s woodwork, the Rapids proved just as dangerous while keeping the team’s fourth clean sheet of the season.
With Robbie Keane’s late miss, there’ll be a lingering feeling that LA could have extended their unbeaten streak run to five with better night from its captain, yet like the team’s opener against RSL, the penalty miss wasn’t Keane only uncharacteristic moment. On a late first half ball from Baggio Husidic, Keane redirected an open header well over the crossbar, leaving the team’s leading goal-scorer bewildered as he walked back upfield.
Though it makes sense that teams have their best chance to win when their stars play well, that tendency has proved a rule during the Galaxy’s first six games. In the two match where Keane wasn’t himself, Bruce Arena’s team has lost. In four games here the Ireland international has performed like one of the best players in Major League Soccer, LA is 3-0-1.
Maybe that illustrates the importance of getting Landon Donovan on track, so LA will have a second star to lean on. Or perhaps these things just happen, with game-to-game brilliance to much to expect from even the league’s most prolific stars. Maybe Colorado’s due some credit, with the team now having conceded only five goals in seven games against non-Seattle opponents.
Regardless, Colorado put last week’s humbling behind it. Los Angeles, meanwhile, was given another example of the importance of a productive Robbie Keane.
