The Los Angeles Galaxy celebrate their win over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Nov. 20, 2011. The Galaxy won 1-0. UPI/Lori Shepler.
The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center. Above you can see Landon Donovan celebrating, as he should.
It was inevitable that this year’s MLS Cup would be all about David Beckham. His presence alone at the Home Depot Center on Sunday was enough to send fans, league officials, journalists and photographers into a tizzy. It was as if there was no one else on the field, as if no one else mattered. Five years after Beckham came to our shores to spread the gospel of soccer, this final was to be his crowning achievement. In truth, it was a personal victory for another player.
That player is Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. While Beckham was looking for a Hollywood ending to cement his legacy a few years after his commitment to the Galaxy had come into question, Donovan is no stranger to winning in Major League Soccer. The Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo to win MLS Cup put Donovan forever in the pantheon of this country’s greatest soccer players. For the 29-year-old midfielder, scoring the game-winner and lifting the trophy capped a great season and put an end to a personal dry spell dating back six years.
This game capped off a very successful season for the MLS which should continue to build the popularity of soccer in the United States.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (23) injures his back as he collides with New York Red Bulls midfielder/forward Dane Richards (19) and Dax McCarty, left, in the MLS Western Conference Semifinals game at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Nov. 3, 2011. The Galaxy won 2-1. UPI/Lori Shepler.
Is the David Beckham investment finally paying off?
David Beckham promised to repay the Los Angeles Galaxy’s faith and investment in him by finally ending the organization’s painful wait for an MLS Cup title.
The Galaxy have not tasted success since Beckham arrived in 2007 and now, in the final year of his lucrative contract, stand just two games from winning it all.
Beckham was outstanding Thursday night as the side overcame the New York Red Bulls 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate) in the second leg of the Western Conference semifinal, setting up Mike Magee for one goal and winning a penalty that was converted by Landon Donovan for the second.
If he can produce a similar effort at home to Real Salt Lake in Sunday’s winner-takes-all Western Conference final, it will put the Galaxy in a strong position to move into the title game.
