Robbie Keane explains how he and David Beckham ‘changed MLS’ at LA Galaxy

Robbie Keane and David Beckham of Los Angeles Galaxy line up prior to the first leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship match against Seattle Sounders on November 11, 2012 in Carson, California, USA.

Robbie Keane believes he and David Beckham fundamentally ‘helped change MLS’ during their time at LA Galaxy.

Keane spent six seasons with the Galaxy towards the end of his career, briefly overlapping with Beckham – whose 2007 move massively raised the profile of MLS.

In an interview with FourFourTwo for the latest issue available to buy, the former Tottenham, Liverpool and Republic of Ireland striker reflects on his time in the USA with great fondness.

“I look back on all the goals I scored in my career with wonderful memories,” Keane tells FFT. “I was fortunate enough to get many, including for LA Galaxy after I moved there in 2011.

“It was a massive time in terms of the success we had: we won three MLS Cups [league titles] over my five-and-a-half years at the club. I feel David Beckham and I helped to change MLS – more David first, when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007, then me following him.

“We played together in two MLS Cup finals: we beat Houston Dynamo 1-0 in 2011, and I scored a penalty when we beat them again in 2012. Two years later, I scored the extra-time winner when we defeated New England Revolution. After our spells in California, the calibre of footballers that played in the league is something I’m extremely proud of.”

With 104 goals, Keane remains LA Galaxy’s second-highest scorer of all time – behind USA legend Landon Donovan.

He left the Galaxy in 2016, finishing his playing career with a short stint at now defunct Indian Super League outfit ATK.