MLS wrap: Keane fires Galaxy back into contention

9 July 2012 07:17

A Robbie Keane brace has fired the LA Galaxy to a much-needed 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire in the MLS on Sunday.

The Irishman celebrated his 32nd birthday in style, as he helped the Galaxy snap a two-match losing streak to climb back into a playoff spot in fifth place in the Western Conference.

A 24th-minute penalty from Keane saw LA lead early, after Fire defender Jalil Anibaba was penalised for a handball inside his own area at Toyota Park.

Keane doubled his tally when he finished off a quality pass from Landon Donovan to seal the three points for the visitors.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Union continued to put space between themselves and Eastern Conference cellar-dwellers Toronto with a 3-0 thrashing of their Canadian opponents.

First-half goals to Gabriel Gomez and Freddy Adu gave the Union a comfortable lead at the interval at PPL Park, before Antoine Hoppenot added a third for the ninth-placed side.

Philadelphia have now won three of their past four, and have climbed within eight points of a playoff spot after a slow start to the season.

The New England Revolution accounted for the New York Red Bulls 2-0 at Gillette Stadium, to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.

The Montreal Impact ended a three-match losing streak with a 2-1 win at home to the Columbus Crew.