Keane dives to win PK, converts for undeserved LA Galaxy Independence Day win & more

There was no celebratory cartwheel.

No trademark faux six-shooter was brandished in a familiar victory salute in the wake of the winning LA Galaxy goal.

A suddenly businesslike Robbie Keane simply stood to acknowledge the importance of converting the penalty kick for the winning goal – his second from the spot in the final eight minutes of the game for a come from behind Galaxy win – if not the manner in which it was scored.

Because Keane clearly dived to secure the call, as the Columbus Crew pointed out to no avail, while Keane’s muted reaction and words after the goal spoke volumes:

“After the result on [Saturday] it’s important to get a win, no matter which way we did it,” he said. “I’m looking at the ball and someone comes into the back of (me). If someone runs into the back of you without you knowing the fact is you’re going to fall over.”

Look, I’m not necessarily faulting Keane’s professionalism.

As he said, he did what he needed to do to secure a win for a frankly substandard (yet again) Galaxy team that outplayed a poor Crew, but once again failed to put them away until Keane belatedly sealed the victory.

But the reality is, he dived, cheated if you like, because if he hadn’t the Galaxy would have left StubHub Center without a victory.

Next up for the Galaxy, FC Dallas at home Sunday, a team that played to a scoreless draw with Chivas USA on the same night.

Meanwhile, Galaxy playmaker Landon Donovan is under the spotlight tonight in San Diego for the U.S. national team in a friendly against Guatemala that will also feature Los Angeles native and former Galaxy player Herculez Gomez.

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