The Galaxy could have dominating defender Omar Gonzalez available Wednesday for the StubHub Center showdown with the Montreal Impact and coach Bruce Arena has reportedly attempted unsuccessfully to prise top scorer Robbie Keane from Ireland’s clutches for the game, too, if that nation’s slim chance of World Cup qualification goes south Friday against Germany.

Gonzales, you’ll recall, pulled out of the U.S. squad earlier this week.

If anything, the Montreal game is looming as even more pivotal after the Western Conference playoff race tightened still further Wednesday with Seattle falling to another humiliating defeat against regional rivals Vancouver and San Jose beating Colorado to set up a crucial Oct. 20 game against the Galaxy.

Incidentally, Keane was asked after last weekend’s SuperClasico about the chances of him returning early from national team duty for the Montreal game should Ireland stumble against the Germans.

“We definitely need a miracle,” Keane said of Ireland’s chances while dismissing the suggestion he might return early. “It’s nothing to do with me. I’m called up for international duty and I have to go. That’s a question you’re going to have to ask (the Galaxy) and the country. As far as I’m concerned I’m going to play for my country. … I’ve never shied away from that.”

By the way, the Galaxy clinched the MLS Reserve League title earlier this week with a win over Chivas USA, which will keep busy over the weekend with a behind closed doors game against New Zealand, which is tuning up for a World Cup playoff game against CONCACAF opposition.