CARSON, Calif. – Giovani Dos Santos has made one debut and has another set for Sunday afternoon when the LA Galaxy face off with Western Conference rivals Seattle (4 pm ET; ESPN), which could provide the first look at his burgeoning partnership with captain Robbie Keane.
No decision yet on whether the Mexican star, who scored in his club debut in Thursday night's CONCACAF Champions League romp over Trinidad and Tobago's Central FC, will start against the Sounders nor how many minutes he might play, but he and Keane – on paper, for now – might be MLS' most dynamic front pair, and there's certainly great anticipation to see how they work together.
Keane, who wasn't on the game-day roster Thursday, played a significant role in bringing his former Tottenham teammate to LA, testifying to Dos Santos' character and helping to lay the groundwork that lured him to Major League Soccer.
“Me and Gio have always stayed in contact with each other,” Keane said. “We always spoke at length that eventually he would like to come here, and, of course, I was involved in trying to bring him here, as well as [technical director] Jovan Kirovski, [club president] Chris Klein and Bruce [Arena, head coach/general manager]. They played a big part in bringing him here.
“It just shows how well everybody behind the scenes have done to bring a player like Gio into the group. He's only 26 years of age, he has a lot to offer still, but, of course, I was part [of the movement to bring him to LA] because I'm friends with him.”
They were together at Tottenham in 2008, when Dos Santos arrived from Barcelona, and in 2009-2011, after Keane returned from a half-season with Steven Gerrard at Liverpool until he joined the Galaxy in August 2011.
During that span, Dos Santos left on loan stints with Ipswich Town, Galatasaray and Racing Santander, and Keane went on loan with Celtic and West Ham United.
“He was only [19 when he arrived at Tottenham], just a kid,” Keane said. “He didn't get the opportunity that I felt he should have at times and, obviously, he did as well, but that's the way it goes. I think things like that can sometimes help players, help them mentally.
“Look at the season he had last year [at Villarreal]. He had, what, 16 goals? [actually 12]. He was one of the best players in [La Liga]. He's a fantastic player; we're lucky to have him.”
Dos Santos says he's excited to reunite with Keane, whom he walked arm-in-arm with off the training field following Thursday's session at StubHub Center.
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“I keep in touch with him for many years. He's a good friend,” Dos Santos said. “I think he's a great player, and I'm really happy to come here [with] the opportunity to play with him here in the LA Galaxy. Hopefully, I can learn a lot of things off him, off Steven Gerrard and off my teammates. I'm really happy for the opportunity to play with big players like him.”
Gerrard, who joined the Galaxy last month after 17 seasons at Liverpool, was impressed with Dos Santos' bow against Central FC.
“He was desperate to get out there on the pitch – I know the feeling – and his debut went perfect,” Gerrard said. “... I know he's got quality. He's a good, technical footballer. Now I'm just pleased and smiling that the deal is over the line, and now he's an LA Galaxy player, and now I can form a good relationship with him.”
