CARSON, Calif. (Monday, Nov. 10, 2014) – LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane and defender A.J. DeLaGarza have been called up to their respective national teams for November matches, the club announced today. Keane will join his native Republic of Ireland, which is scheduled to play in a EURO 2016 qualifier a match against Scotland Friday, Nov. 14 and a friendly against the U.S. Men’s National Team, with the U.S.-Ireland matchup broadcasted Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 11:45 a.m. PT live on ESPN. DeLaGarza joins Guam for a pair of EAFF East Asian Cup 2015 Semifinal matches, with the first set for Sunday, Nov. 16 against North Korea and the second Wednesday, Nov. 19 against Hong Kong. Both of Guam’s matches will be played at Taipei Municipal Stadium in Taiwan.
Both players will be available for selection when the Galaxy play the first leg of the 2014 Western Conference Championship on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Keane, 34, is Ireland’s captain and all-time leading goal scorer with 65 goals, most recently notching a hat trick in the team’s 7-0 victory over Gibraltar in EURO 2016 qualifying play. Since earning his first call up in 1998, the veteran forward has made over 130 appearances for his country. For the Galaxy, Keane scored 19 goals and notched 14 assists during the 2014 regular season. Against Real Salt Lake on Sunday, Keane scored a goal and recorded three assists in team’s 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. In his MLS career, the Irishman has tallied 53 goals and 35 assists.
DeLaGarza, 27, has made two appearances for Guam since committing his international career to the country in 2013. The two-time LA Galaxy Defender of the Year made 29 appearances this year for an LA backline that allowed an MLS-low 37 goals during the regular season. Last month, the Galaxy announced a multi-year contract extension to DeLaGarza, who has been with the club since 2009 after being selected with the 19th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
With a victory over Real Salt Lake Sunday, the Galaxy advanced to the 2014 Western Conference Championship. Opponent, location and time will be announced following the conclusion the Western Conference Semifinal series between Seattle Sounders FC and FC Dallas Monday evening.
