Robbie Keane drills home the first goal in his hat trick on a penalty kick. (Photo by Duane Barker)
By Tim Peterson
(Carson) – Robbie Keane got a hat trick and the defense stood tall as the Galaxy shut out Toronto FC 4-0 Saturday night before a sell out crowd of 27,000 at StubHub Center.
Keane got things started in the 9th minute when he did a stutter step and then slammed a penalty kick past Toronto goalkeeper Chris Konopka. Jose Villarreal nearly added a goal three minutes later on a break away but just missed wide right.
Sebastien Lletget had a shot on goal in the 29th minute that but was stopped. Keane picked up his second of the night as he booted one in off of a nice cross from Baggio Husidic in the 41st minute for a 2-0 lead at the half.
Another game another goal for Sebastian Lletget. (Photo by Duane Barker)
The Galaxy introduced its newest member – Steven Gerrard at halftime. The Liverpool legend received a raucous ovation from the sold out crowd as he said the future is going to be good. Gerrard is expected to make his debut next Saturday night in Champions Cup action against Club America at StubHub Center.
Steven Gerrard acknowledges the crowd during his introduction. (Photo by Duane Barker)
LA picked up where it left off in the second half as Keane pulled out the hat trick in the 50th minute. Konopka came out of the box to stop Keane but the reigning MVP beat him and fired into a wide open right corner for a 3-0 advantage.
“The start of the second half was good on our behalf. That third goal by Keane was key,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. “Keane keeps getting sharper each and every game. He’ll need about a month or month and a half before he really gets going.”
For Keane it was his second hat trick of the season. He also had one in a 6-1 win over PSA Elite.
Ignacio Maganto checked in for Villarreal in the 68th minute and in the 86th Kenny Walker replaced Husidic.
Lletget added a little gravy in additional time as scored off of a pass from Maganto to count for the final tally.
Brian Rowe replaced Jaime Penedo who is playing for Panama International and pithed a shut out.
“Rowe had a good solid game. I thought he looked pretty composed,” Arena said.
Arena started the press conference by announcing that midfielder Stefan Ishizaki had played his last game with the Galaxy and will be leaving the team due to family reasons.
“It’s a good move for him and his family and we appreciate his contributions to the team over the last 18 months,” Arena said. “He was a good teammate and an outstanding player for us. We’re going to miss him.”
The Galaxy improved to 8-6-7 with the win while Toronto FC fell to 7-7-2.
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