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Dynamo-Galaxy Preview

Robbie Keane's absence has been a tough obstacle to overcome for the slumping Los Angeles Galaxy.

He's hoping his return provides a much-needed spark.

Keane expects to play as Los Angeles looks to snap a five-match winless streak Friday night against the visiting Houston Dynamo, who can win three straight for the first time in nearly three years.

The Galaxy (3-4-5) won their first two after Keane suffered a groin strain in a loss to Vancouver on April 4, but they've gone 0-3-2 since while scoring three times.

The latest defeat, 4-0 to expansion Orlando City on Sunday, provided Keane with some extra incentive to return. Coach Bruce Arena won't commit to him being in the lineup, but the Galaxy captain said he hasn't experienced any pain in practice.

Keane has two goals in five games. He finished third in league with 19 last season while helping Los Angeles win its third MLS Cup title in four years.

"We're the champions (and) people are expecting a lot more from us, and we do ourselves," Keane told the club's official website. "One player doesn't change everything. Certainly one player can make a difference, and I believe that I can help the team. But everyone needs to step up now to get the results that this team needs sooner rather than later."

The Galaxy are coming off three straight road matches and will look to improve their 3-0-2 home mark. Defender Omar Gonzalez expects to play after a knee injury forced him to sit out against Orlando City.

"I'm good for Friday," Gonzalez said. "If it was late in the season or a playoff game then no doubt I would have played (Sunday). It was early in the season, and I figured that I wanted to stay safe."

Keane scored in the third minute of a 1-all home draw with Houston on March 21 after the Dynamo took the two previous meetings.

Houston (4-4-4) snapped a four-match winless streak with a 2-1 victory at Toronto on May 10 before beating Portland 3-1 on Saturday.

Giles Barnes' go-ahead goal in the 75th minute against the Timbers was sandwiched by two from Will Bruin, helping the Dynamo win two straight for the first time since Aug. 29 and Sept. 6.

Bruin also scored against Toronto and added an assist. His four goals trail Barnes' six for the club lead.

"Obviously happy and relaxed after a win but that's not enough," Bruin said. "We want to keep going and keep having that winning feeling. We can't get content."

Bruin said it was "pretty ridiculous almost" how long it took Houston to win back-to-back matches, but it's been even longer since its last three-game winning streak. That came July 15-Aug. 3, 2012, a season in which Houston lost to Los Angeles in the MLS Cup championship game for the second straight year.

Houston hasn't had much road success against the Galaxy, going 1-6-2 in its last nine.

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