Keane’s price also might have been too high for the Revolution.
No transfer fee was involved, but Keane’s salary is estimated at more than 3.5 million euros. The Revolution had allocated more than $1 million for a designated player, and much of that has been spent on Argentine striker Milton Caraglio’s loan fee to Rosario Central and salary. The Revolution have added midfielder/forward Moncef Zerka, who is scheduled for a visa appointment in Paris tomorrow, and could bring in another attacking player, but at far less than Keane’s numbers.
Keane seems set to energize the Galaxy for the stretch run. Los Angeles has a 14-3-9 record (51 points), best in the league, and should be favored to win the MLS Cup. Keane had an immediate impact, scoring in the 21st minute of a 2-0 victory over San Jose Saturday.
The Galaxy are certainly acting like a championship organization. Management has taken a strong team and made it stronger, sparing no expense in pushing the limits of the league’s salary restrictions. According to a league source, the Galaxy had targeted Brazilian star Kaka’ and Didier Drogba before Keane became available. The Galaxy, who were also offered Nicolas Anelka, have three designated players - Beckham, Keane, and Landon Donovan - shedding Juan Pablo Angel to make room for Keane.
Los Angeles previously has capitalized on experiences outside the country. In 2003, the late Doug Hamilton, a former Galaxy general manager, set up an agreement with Sao Paulo FC in Brazil. The relationship did not pay off until last year, when the Galaxy added Juninho and Leonardo. Coach Bruce Arena noted that the Brazilian players more than compensated for the Galaxy’s low draft standing.
But it is interesting that the Revolution were never in the running for Keane. In the past, Boston-area teams were able to attract Ireland’s best players.
