LA Galaxy fans may want to get used to the teenaged frontline of Jose Villarreal and Jack McBean that Bruce Arena trotted out in Saturday's 1-0 win over Colorado. Because it looks like the man they replaced, Designated Player Robbie Keane, could be on the shelf for a bit.
Keane has been forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday's crucial World Cup qualifier vs. Austria with a calf injury. A Galaxy spokesman had no comment on the severity at press time, referring all inquiries to the ROI medical staff, but with 10 days left before the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series against Monterrey, anything prolonged could put a serious dent in LA's hopes of dethroning the two-time defending CCL champs.
International Roundup: Keane starts as Ireland draw Sweden
The Ireland captain, who is two caps short of becoming his country's all-time leader, and is already their all-time leading scorer with 54 goals in his 122 appearances, reportedly suffered the injury in Friday's scoreless draw with Sweden. Keane was removed after 74 minutes.
Villarreal, 19, and McBean, 18, have both seen regular playing time for Arena's squad this season, with McBean getting on the board once. Both also played in the CCL quarterfinal victory over CS Herediano, each netting a goal, and McBean was the team's leading scorer in the CCL group stage last year.
Other forward options for the Galaxy include Mike Magee, who currently leads the league with four tallies, second-year man Chandler Hoffman and rookie Charlie Rugg. There is also an outside chance that Landon Donovan, who is expected to return from his sabbatical later this week, could suit up.
The series vs. Monterrey opens on April 3 at the Home Depot Center.
