DUBLIN – Gyasi Zardes has marked off some career highs in the last couple of months, but even better things are still to come for him, according to teammate Robbie Keane.
When the California native first started training with LA Galaxy, Keane would have been forgiven for wondering who, exactly, this kid with the outlandish hairstyle was, but it would not take long for Zardes to make his presence known.
In the two years since, Zardes has become a key part of Bruce Arena’s MLS Cup-winning team, made the breakthrough with the United States national team, and established himself as one of the most exciting young players in MLS.
No wonder, then, that Galaxy captain Keane was full of praise of his teammate following the 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers in Dublin on Saturday. It isn’t often that the 34-year-old gushes about young players in that way.
“He has come on a lot,” Keane told reporters about the 23-year-old Zardes. “He played on the left [wing] in the first half, but striker is certainly his best position. He scored a lot of goals last year [16] and he’s only growing with being called up the national team as well.
“[Jurgen] Klinsmann has spoken very, very highly of him and about his attitude in training and the way that he played. He’s only going to get better.”
The inevitable question then is: how far can Zardes go? In the immediate future, he seems poised for a star turn with the Galaxy and at least further consideration from the national team, with the 2015 Gold Cup and 2018 World Cup qualifying both fast approaching.
Said Keane, “He’s certainly got the potential [to excel in Europe], but we want to keep him here.”
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And after a whirldwind few months Zardes simply wants to catch his breath. He may have enjoyed going from MLS Cup to USMNT duty to a preseason tour with Galaxy, but now it’s time to unwind ahead of the MLS season opener on March 6 against Chicago Fire (10 pm ET, UniMas).
“It’s been very busy. I had a month with the national team and then I came on this trip, so it’s nice to get back to family now,” said Zardes about the conclusion of the preseason trip to Ireland.
There is no doubt that Zardes has earned a brief respite before the grind of the MLS season begins, but it's hard not to wonder in the meantime what the rest of 2015 will bring for him.
