Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
The last thing the Los Angeles Galaxy needed in their current three losses in four games skid is to lose their captain for an extended period of time.
This looks to be the case, as Galaxy manager Bruce Arena and captain Robbie Keane came to an agreement to allow the 32-year-old forward to play for the Republic of Ireland on four different occasions in the next three weeks.
Keane and the Ireland squad will take on England at Wembley Stadium on May 29, Georgia in Dublin on June 2, Faroe Islands on June 7 in a World Cup qualifier, and then an international friendly with Spain at Yankee Stadium on June 11.
Arena’s decision will leave the Galaxy without one of their leaders just a week after returning from injury. Keane will miss out on the Galaxy’s matches at New England on June 2 and at Real Salt Lake on June 8. In just five games this season, Keane has scored two goals but has also registered three assists.
Here are some more stories to catch you up around the league:
BOSWELL SUSPENDED ONE ADDITIONAL GAME
Major League Soccer’s Disciplinary Committee announced on Wednesday afternoon that Houston Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell has been suspended an additional game for his headbutt on Dmitry Imbongo of the New England Revolution Saturday.
Boswell was also fined an undisclosed amount, with the Committee describing the offense “violent conduct that endangered the safety of the opponent.” Boswell, who was shown a red card in the 39th minute of the 2-0 defeat on Saturday, will now sit out the next two matches for Houston; May 26 against Sporting Kansas City and June 1 against the Columbus Crew.
The 30-year-old central defender has started all 12 matches for the Dynamo this season, with Saturday’s dismissal being the first time this season that he didn’t play a full match.
D.C. UNITED TO HOST FRIENDLY MATCH AGAINST CHIVAS
Chivas Guadalajara will be making a trip north to the United States, only they won’t be playing their sister club in Los Angeles.
D.C. United announced on Wednesday that Chivas would be visiting RFK Stadium on July 12 in a friendly match that was jointly set up by Soccer United Marketing (SUM).
“Club Deportivo Guadalajara and D.C. United are among the most storied clubs in North America, and we’re looking forward to participating in what’s sure to be a competitive match against Chivas,” D.C. United Chief Operating Officer Michael Williamson said in a statement on the team’s website. “An integral component of our “Summer of Soccer,” this game will provide our fan base yet another opportunity to watch the Black-and-Red take on a world-renowned team.”
Both Chivas and D.C. United have struggled this spring, with the Goats finishing in 17th place in the 18-team Liga MX table during their Clausura season, and the MLS side sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference.
Chivas will take on Club America in a friendly match on July 3 in Las Vegas before traveling to the United States capital.
TIMBERS SIGN MCKENZIE, WAIVE KAWULOK
The Portland Timbers added more experience to their banged up defensive line on Wednesday, completing the signing of Rauwshan McKenzie, while waiving defender Ryan Kawulok to create room on the roster.
Per MLS and club policy, terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
McKenzie, a free agent, was most recently with Chivas USA, playing 25 times for the Goats in all competitions last season. Prior to his stay in Los Angeles, the 26-year-old spent two seasons on the bench at Real Salt Lake, and another two at Sporting Kansas City, the club that drafted him in 2008.
Since being released by Chivas in February, McKenzie had been training with the Timbers and had played in two Reserve League matches with the Timbers reserve squad.
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What do you make of these notes? Do you believe the Galaxy should have released Keane for the friendlies? Do you agree with the suspension to Boswell? Think McKenzie can be a good signing in Portland?
Share your thoughts below.