Beckham bows out on winning note
CARSON, California, Dec 2, (AP): David Beckham stood on the podium with his three sons, a Union Jack knotted around his Los Angeles Galaxy jersey. With a practiced lift and a broad smile, he raised the sparkling MLS Cup over his head to a raucous ovation amid a confetti blizzard. Now that’s a Hollywood ending worthy of a star. Beckham wrapped up his MLS career as a two-time champion Saturday as the Galaxy came from a goal down to beat Houston Dynamo 3-1.
With a stirring second-half surge capped by penalties by Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, Los Angeles won its fourth MLS Cup, tying DC United for the MLS record.
The Galaxy also gave an appropriate farewell to Beckham, the 37-year-old former England captain who transformed the league and his team over six seasons in Los Angeles.
“It’s been a successful six years here, and now that we’ve won the second one, it’s even more satisfying,” Beckham said. “I just hope people have enjoyed me playing here. It’s what I always hope for when I step on the field.”
Beckham will play elsewhere in the new year before eventually returning to MLS as a team owner. With rumors linking him everywhere from Sydney to Paris, he hasn’t disclosed his immediate plans beyond a Christmas vacation back home in England.
Los Angeles will miss Beckham, but the glamorous global icon is going out at an apex for MLS’ highest-profile franchise.
“I just hope I’ve brought a bit of interest to the game in American,” Beckham said. “If that’s the single thing I’ve done, then great.” After Calen Carr put Houston ahead in the 44th minute, Beckham and his high-scoring teammates systematically broke down the defense of the Dynamo, who lost the MLS Cup 1-0 to Los Angeles on the same field last year.
The Galaxy equalized through Omar Gonzalez’s long-range header in the 61st minute.
Donovan redeemed himself for missing an open net in the 13th minute by burying his penalty in the 65th after a Houston handball. The US national team star, who is also contemplating a departure from MLS, won his record-tying fifth league title while scoring his fifth career MLS Cup goal and the record 22nd goal of his postseason career.
“It’s a little surreal,” Donovan said. “In any sport, to repeat is really hard to do. ... For me personally, this felt more satisfying (than last year). We could enjoy it a little bit more.”
Keane played another stellar attacking game for Los Angeles before earning his own penalty in stoppage time when Houston’s Tally Hall knocked him down, and the Irishman sealed the victory. Beckham left the game to a raucous standing ovation from the packed stadium amid chants of “Thank you,