<p>Irish international <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/greatest-european-players-to-play-in-mls-20211228-0015.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Robbie Keane</strong></a> came to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/mls-top-10-most-expensive-incoming-transfers-20210211-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Major League Soccer</a> when he was 31 years old, wanting to prove a point. Already an established player, Keane’s great career lacked one key element, championships, it was in Los Angeles where he’d lead the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/LA-Galaxy-supporters-have-had-enough-of-Chris-Klein-and-Jovan-Kirovski-20230116-0018.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Galaxy</a> to three MLS Cups.</p>
<p>Playing alongside<strong> Landon Donovan and David Beckham</strong>, Keane still stood out among them, and potential has been the most important player the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/top-15-greatest-los-angeles-galaxy-players-of-all-time-20201216-0006.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Galaxy</a> ever signed. During Keane’s five and a half years in MLS he scored 104 goals in 165 games, since his departure the Galaxy never again won MLS Cup.</p>
<p>Now in speaking with Betway sportsbook, the Ireland legend speaks about his time in MLS and getting a chance to meet the President of the United States, Barack Obama.</p>
<h2>Robbie Keane on MLS experience</h2>
<p>When speaking about his overall time in MLS, Keane was quick to point out he was glad he came to MLS at the age he did.<em> “The MLS. I always said, if I went to go somewhere like that, I didn’t want to go there at 35/36 where I couldn’t make an impact. I think going at 31, I was still playing at a high level, and I think, you know David Beckham was the one that called me and said I think you are the final piece in the jigsaw that we need.”</em></p>
<p>That final piece was a run of form and dominance the Galaxy never replicated since and it earned the team various trips to the White House, where the team met then President Barack Obama at the height of his popularity.</p>
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<figure class="image">   <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230117_BUS_211702_former_professional_soccer_midfielder_david_beckham_attends_the_unveiling_of_his_statue_alongside_fo_crop1673983763398.jpg_22069893_300297ed.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption>    Former professional soccer midfielder David Beckham attends the unveiling of his statue alongside former Los Angeles Galaxy player Robbie Keane at Dignity Health Sports Park on March 02, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)   </figcaption></figure>
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<p><em>“As you know in American leagues if you win a championship you go to The White House. When we won the last one, we actually came to Ireland for pre-season and played against Shamrock Rovers. So, I returned the favour, and I rang our President, Michael D. Higgins, and asked could we go and visit him at his house.</em></p>
<p><em>When we came to Ireland, Michael D. Higgins was waiting at the front door with his few dogs. The lads were actually out on the gardens walking his dogs, so the lads were taking selfies with him. So, it was a little bit different. And before you know it, I was over there, in 48 hours, and then a few months later we won the cup. I was there for 5 and a half years, and I have to say it was probably one of the best times I’ve had in my career.”</em></p>
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FRM MLS and LA Galaxy great Robbie Keane on playing in the league and meeting the President

FRM MLS and LA Galaxy great Robbie Keane on playing in the league and meeting the President - Bolavip US

<p>Every season <a href="https://us.bolavip.com/mls-t16956" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MLS</strong></a> teams wheel and deal in hopes of getting a squad ready for the playoffs come season’s end. Some signings work out, <a href="https://us.bolavip.com/soccer/the-15-worst-signings-in-mls-history-20201229-0007.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">others not so much</a>. Nonetheless, team GM’s are always looking for that big signing that can take their team to the next level.</p>
<p>While <strong>David Beckham</strong> and<strong> Landon Donovan</strong> come to mind as signings that were huge in leading not only the league, but their teams to greater things, other signings drop under the radar, but are equally as important. Javier Morales to Real Salt Lake comes to mind as a signing that not only elevated RSL, but also began a culture of excellence at the club.</p>
<p>While we could do a list of 100 signings like this, we have narrowed it down to five key signings of significance. Each player signing will tell a story of just how that signing changed the fortune of the club. While not a ranking, here are <strong>5 <a href="https://us.bolavip.com/soccer/mls-top-10-most-expensive-incoming-transfers-20210211-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MLS</a> signings that changed the course of thoseteams!</strong></p>
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<h2>Cuauhtémoc Blanco to Chicago Fire</h2>
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<figure class="image">   <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20210303_BUS_169100_cuauhtemoc_blanco_crop1614781392531.jpg_22069893_5a8e351d.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption>    Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Cuauhtémoc Blanco’</strong>s arrival to the Chicago Fire at the dawn of the DP era was yet another big-name Mexican signing to MLS. MLS has a history of flop Mexican National team signings and Blanco wanted to change that perception. He did, Blanco was sensational for the Fire. Upon signing he was greeted by 5,000 fans, in 2007 he was a finalist for newcomer and MLS MVP, but only won goal of the year. On the field, Blanco lived up to the hype, 16 goals in 62 games, he was everything Rafa Marquez wasn’t, he carried the MLS flag and was proud of it. For the Fire, Blanco was really the last major game changing signing, the team failed to make the playoffs in 8 of the last 10 seasons since Blanco left.</p>
<h2>Nicolás Lodeiro to Seattle Sounders</h2>
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<figure class="image">   <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20210303_BUS_169100_nicolas_lodeiro_crop1614781357953.jpg_22069893_17cb009e.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption>    Nicolás Lodeiro (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Some might raise an eyebrow and say “really?” but hear us out. The Seattle Sounders were already a team on the cusp of achieving an MLS Cup. Since the Sounders entered the league in 2009 the club had won 4 U.S. Open Cups and qualified for the playoffs in every season. Then the Uruguayan midfielder signed with the team in 2016 and slowly began inserting himself in the midfieldand becoming a team leader. The end result has been 2 MLS Cups trophies and 4 MLS Cup appearances in 5 years since <strong>Lodeiro</strong>’s arrival.</p>
<h2>Christian Gómez to D.C. United</h2>
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<figure class="image">   <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20210303_BUS_169100_christian_gomez_crop1614781294670.jpg_22069893_2c63a368.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption>    Christian Gómez (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Before the age of the DP, MLS teams looked for free transfers and crossed their fingers, <strong>Christian Gómez</strong> was a late season addition that propelled a 2004 D.C United team to the MLS Cup final. Gómez would lead the team to their fourth MLS Cup and would later be the centerpiece of an era which saw United qualify to the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the club. Gomito became a huge fan favorite and fans were mad when he was traded to make way for Marcelo Gallardo in 2008. When Gómez left, United began a downward spiral that saw them miss the playoffs four seasons in a row. Despite returning in 2009 for only 1 season, United has since failed to truly field a week in and week out competitive and dominating team.</p>
<h2>Guillermo Barros Schelotto to Columbus Crew</h2>
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<figure class="image">   <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20210303_BUS_169100_guillermo_barros_schelotto_crop1614781243735.jpg_22069893_51ce2f10.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption>    Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Late in his career and without a place in the Boca Juniors lineup, <strong>Guillermo Barros Schelotto</strong> took a chance and signed with the Columbus Crew of MLS. It was a match made in heaven. GBS, as he was later called by fans, found a second home and revitalized his career in MLS. Schelotto won 1 MLS Cup and MLS MVP award during his four years in Ohio. Schelotto’s signing began an era in MLS of Argentine imports and a style of play that has involved an Argentine midfielder as the centerpiece in Columbus since.</p>
<h2>Robbie Keane to L.A. Galaxy</h2>
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<figure class="image">   <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20210303_BUS_169100_robbie_keane_crop1614781205101.jpg_22069893_eab75a0d.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption>    Robbie Keane (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
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<p>This one might seem too easy, but it isn’t, the David Beckham era in L.A. needed an MLS Cup to truly come full circle. The Galaxy made a signing intended to do just that, they signed Irish striker<strong> Robbie Keane</strong>. Keane was more than just an ace in the hole, he became a club legend and at points was even more important on the field than the other two big stars in L.A., Beckham and Donovan. Winner of three MLS Cups, and 83 goals, the Galaxy has yet to replace the electric Keane.</p>
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robbie keane

FRM MLS and LA Galaxy great Robbie Keane on playing in the league and meeting the President

5 MLS signings that changed the course of those teams