LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 18 of the 2015 MLS season.
Keane notched his third career hat trick – the first by any player in MLS this season – in the Galaxy’s 4-0 win over Toronto FC on Saturday night. Keane is now just one three-goal performance behind former LA Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones for most career hat tricks in club history. The Irish International joins teammates Jaime Penedo and Gyasi Zardes as Galaxy players who have earned Player of the Week nods this season.
Keane got the scoring started in the ninth minute, converting a penalty kick into the top corner after Sebastian Lletget earned a foul inside the box. The Galaxy then doubled their lead in the 41st minute after a superb team sequence. Stefan Ishizaki snuck Baggio Husidic in behind Toronto’s backline. Husidic then played a cross to Keane, who buried his shot.
The reigning league MVP completed his hat trick in the 59th minute. Toronto defender Justin Morrow put in a back pass towards goalkeeper Chris Konopka, only for Keane to intercept the pass, round the 'keeper and finish in front of an empty net.
The Galaxy return to MLS action on Friday, July 17 when they host the San Jose Earthquakes in a California Clásico rematch at the StubHub Center at 11 pm ET (UniMás).
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
