MLS: Top 5 strikers in league history

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CARSON, CA – MARCH 06: Robbie Keane #7 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half of their MLS match against D.C. United at StubHub Center on March 6, 2016, in Carson, California. The Galaxy defeated United 4-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

4. Robbie Keane

The first of three non-Americans to make our list is a man that spent five seasons with the Galaxy during their domination of the league in the early 2010s, Ireland’s record goalscorer, Robbie Keane.

Before making the move Stateside in 2011, Keane had spent the majority of his career in the English Premier League, playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and West Ham United, along with spells at Inter Milan and Celtic sandwiched in between.

MLS Career & Honours:

LA Galaxy (2011-2016)

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MLS MVP – 2014
MLS Best XI – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
MLS Cup MVP – 2014

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MLS Cup – 2011, 2012, 2014
Supporters’ Shield – 2011

After his second spell with Tottenham Hotspur came to an end following the 2010-11 Premier League campaign, Keane signed for LA Galaxy, and instantly became their main man at the head of the field, scoring twice in four regular-season appearances towards the end of the campaign, as the Californian side lifted the Supporters’ Shield title. He then scored in the Western Conference finals to help the Galaxy get into the MLS Cup final, where he set up the winning goal for Landon Donovan, as they defeated Houston Dynamo 1-0.

In his first full season in the league, the Irishman scored 16 times and recorded nine assists, earning himself a place in the MLS Best XI for the first time. He was joined by fellow Galaxy attacking threat Landon Donovan in the side. His form improved even more into the post-season in 2012, as he scored six goals in six playoff matches, as the Galaxy retained their MLS Cup crown, and to date, they remain the most recent side to win back-to-back championships in Major League Soccer.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 23: Robbie Keane #7 of Los Angeles Galaxy paces the ball toward the goal in the second half during the MLS match against the New York City FC at StubHub Center on August 23, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. Keane scored on the play. The Galaxy defeated NYCFC 5-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Another 16-goal season followed, this time with Keane adding 11 assists to improve on his figures from the 2012 term, and he was named into the MLS Best XI for the 2013 campaign, this time as the loan Galaxy figure. He would go one better in 2014, as he was named the league’s MVP, becoming the first European player to take the league’s top honours. The Irishman scored 19 goals and recorded 14 assists, as he averaged at more than a goal per game that he had a hand in for the Galaxy.

Keane was joined by Donovan in the MLS Best XI for a second time, with centre-half Omar Gonzalez also making his way into the prestigious line-up for the 2014 term. Following a top-notch regular-season, the Irishman then scored twice in five post-season matches, as well as adding three assists, as LA took the spoils for a third time in four seasons, this time defeating New England Revolution in extra time to win the 2014 MLS Cup. Keane was named MLS Cup MVP after he scored the winner in the 11th minute.

The forward would go on to be named into the 2015 MLS Best XI, making it four consecutive appearances in the team, but the Galaxy’s form suffered. After failing to reach the MLS Cup in both 2015 and 2016, Keane left the club. He finished his time with the Californian side after scoring 83 goals and recording 45 assists in just 125 regular-season appearances. He also added nine goals and six assists in post-season play and helped the Galaxy to three titles. He is, without doubt, the best Irish player to have ever played in Major League Soccer, and an argument could be put out there for Keane to be known as the best European to ever play in the league.

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