The LA Galaxy’s Euro Trip finished on a high on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Republic of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers.
The match was a coming home party for Galaxy captain Robbie Keane who was the most popular man on the pitch with a roaring crowd cheering his every move. But even though Keane was the guest of honor on the afternoon, the striker was less than sentimental about his return to Tallaght, rather choosing to focus on more important matters.
“It’s been a good week for us and then we played the game which is obviously what we’re here for. To get fit and make sure that we’re ready for the start of the season,” said Keane. “It was a good test for us, but I thought that we dominated the game…. All in all, it was a good run out and it is always nice to get minutes under your belt before the season.”
The game itself wasn’t pretty on the eyes as both teams struggled to generate many clear-cut chances. Finnish trialist Mika Väyrynen’s first-half shot deflected off a defender and into the back of the net for the game’s only goal.
“We played well,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. “The conditions were difficult, but I think that it is a good exercise for our team to deal with these conditions and keep their concentration and get a result. Overall, it was a good game for us and some players got valuable minutes so we’re really pleased.”
A preseason win may not mean much in the Galaxy’s plans for the 2015 campaign, but it could mean much for the Finnish midfielder who is still fighting to earn a contract with LA. Although Arena told reporters afterward that no decisions have been made on whether the he’ll return to Los Angeles with the club, Väyrynen was pleased with his first goal in a Galaxy uniform.
“It felt good. I got a great ball from Ishi and I hit it quite well with my left foot,” said Väyrynen. “I think the defender got a touch, but luckily I went in.”
The club will now return to the states for one final preseason tune-up next week against the San Jose Earthquakes before they open up their MLS Cup title defense on March 6 against the Chicago Fire.
But now that the European adventure is complete, do the Galaxy feel like something was gained in their jaunt in the old continent?
Definitely.
“It was a great trip,” said Arena. “Staying in Dublin for a week and a short stay in Stockholm helped our team move forward. We got some important conditioning and hopefully we can get sharper in the next two weeks to prepare for our opening game.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
