Robbie Keane's return to action after seven weeks out with a groin injury inspired the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 1-0 Major League Soccer victory over the Houston Dynamo on Friday night.
The Republic of Ireland captain, who had been sorely missed during his time out, made his return as a second-half substitute having only returned to training on Thursday.
Keane made an immediate impact and set up Alan Gordon for a second-half stoppage-time header that proved enough to help the Galaxy end their five-game winless streak.
There was still time after Gordon's strike for Los Angeles left-back Oscar Sorto, on his first MLS start, to be sent off for a tackle from behind on Dynamo defender David Horst.
Afterwards, the Irish skipper said: "I'm not a player that eases into things. I think you probably know that," Keane said afterwards.
"As soon as I'm ready, I want to jump right in and try to help the team as much as I can, so I did that tonight, and I'm delighted with the lads' performance, even though it wasn't pretty at times."
Keane's return is a timely one for Ireland, who take on Scotland in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier on 13 June.
