Can lift the country’ – MLS legend Robbie Keane believes USMNT role ‘good move’ for Mauricio Pochettino, team

LA Galaxy legend Robbie Keane was part of the last MLS Cup-winning squad in 2014, and now one decade on, the former Ireland international believes it’s time for the league’s most storied franchise to return back to the top.

Writing for betway insider, the 44-year-old noted the Galaxy can claim MLS Cup in 2024 based on the campaign they’ve had. Heading into Matchday 36, the Galaxy sit atop the Western Conference and are in pole-position for the No. 1 seed come the postseason.

The Irishman also shared that he is “good friends” with Mauricio Pochettino, and thinks that the Argentine is the perfect hire to bring U.S. Soccer to the next level ahead of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• USA Today

  WHAT KEANE WROTE ABOUT THE GALAXY

  “LA Galaxy have secured a spot in the MLS playoffs, which is great. Now, can they make that next step? They’ve made the playoffs in the last few years, but when it comes down to it they always seem to slip up and not get over the final hurdle,” he wrote.

  Since 2014, LA have missed the postseason five times, and have not made it past the quarterfinals in their four other attempts. At the end of 2023, defender Maya Yoshida even claimed he was “embarrassed” after their campaign that saw them finish 13th in the West.

  “For a team like the Galaxy, they have to be winning things. They haven’t won the MLS Cup since I was there in 2014, which for me is too long for a club with the history that the Galaxy have. I’ve got a soft spot for the team after I had a great time there. It’s a brilliant club, great fans, and after the season they’ve had it’ll be very disappointing if they don’t win the cup.”

  • WHAT KEANE WROTE ABOUT POCHETTINO

    “Mauricio Pochettino is a great friend of mine, and I think the USA job is a good move for him with the World Cup coming up. It will be a different experience as he’s been in club management for a long time, working with the players day-to-day. I’ve played in the USA and the potential there is absolutely huge for the future,” he wrote.

    Keane played in MLS with the Galaxy for six seasons from 2011-2016, scoring 83 goals and recording 45 assists. The Irishman also played at Tottenham Hotspur from 2009-2011, the club where the Argentine managed from 2014-2019.

    “As the manager, Pochettino can lift the country and the players, who want to play for a manager like that. I wasn’t surprised that he took the job, because I know how big a job it is and to have the opportunity to manage in the World Cup is incredible. They have a long way to go to win the tournament, but reaching the quarter-finals would be a huge success. The growth of football in America is massive and with the generation of younger players coming through, there are going to be big stars who could be five to 10 years away.”

  • Getty Images Sport

    WHAT NEXT?

    Keane will surely be watching the final few weeks of the MLS season, as the Galaxy wrap up their campaign, looking to secure the Western Conference title. LA are back in action Wednesday against the Colorado Rapids.

    The USMNT, meanwhile, are set to take the pitch on Oct. 12 against Panama and Oct. 15 against Mexico in a series of international friendlies.