Keane, Gerrard lift Galaxy to 300th MLS win

Los Angeles (AFP) – Robbie Keane returned from knee surgery to score two goals and Steven Gerrard added another in a 4-2 win over New England that made the Los Angeles Galaxy the first team to win 300 Major League Soccer matches.

Ireland forward Keane, sidelined since surgery on his ailing right knee in March, tapped in twice in the first half, his goals, both set up by Gyasi Zardes, were sandwiched around Giovani dos Santos’s long-range volley.

“To welcome that goal threat back into the team and the squad is great to see,” Gerrard said of Keane’s return.

But the Revolution roared back in the second half, scoring twice in four minutes through Kelyn Rowe and Juan Agudelo to narrow the gap to 3-2.

Frantically seeking the equalizer, Agudelo hit the cross bar with a curling shot in the 83rd, but Gerrard, back in action after missing a match with a groin injury, scored in injury time to make sure the Galaxy collected maximum points.

Gerrard, subbed into the match for Keane in the 60th minute, collected a pass from Mike Magee at the top of the penalty area, dribbled through the New England defense and looped a shot into the back of the net.

The Galaxy have a short turnaround before a Wednesday match at the Philadelphia Union.

Despite having just returned, Keane said he’d be ready.

“I expect to be playing on Wednesday,” he said. “I’m back.”