Donovan Goal Helps Galaxy Win MLS Cup Over Dynamo

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Donovan Goal Helps Galaxy Win MLS Cup Over Dynamo | MLS

Donovan Goal Helps Galaxy Win MLS Cup Over Dynamo
John Nestor

Carson, CA

Robbie Keane fed Landon Donovan a marvelous pass, which the superstar trickled into the net with a superb shot to lift the L.A. Galaxy to a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup before a home record crowd of 30,281 fans Sunday at Home Depot Center.

The tally came in the 72nd minute and decided the tense and tight affair in which the Dynamo had few scoring chances.

It marked the third MLS Cup victory in Galaxy history and helped David Beckham put a cap on the possible end of a five-year MLS campaign with a title.

Beckham, who heard chants of "We want Beckham" after the final whistle pulled a hamstring in mid-week but battled through it to create some nice passes that went unfinished. He declined to say if he would return to the league again.

The international star was still more than satisfied with the outcome, however, as was his coach Bruce Arena.

"The hamstring, I tore on Tuesday, and I had a little bit of a cold on Wednesday morning," said Beckham, according to ESPN. "I actually did, none of us were lying. The hamstring, it was something I was disappointed about, because we'd had three tough games in nine days ... I think we've all been through times where we've had injuries this season, and we've played through it. It shows the strength of the players."

"I've been around great athletes and competitors in my life in different sports," added Arena. "This guy is as good as they come; an unbelievable desire to win, compete, and he's a great teammate and a great person ... He gutted it out tonight. He obviously wanted to be there. My hat is off to David."

Donovan, who has had a shaky relationship with "Becks" at times, praised his teammate's fortitude along with Keane's brilliance.

"People, justifiably so, see Robbie as a great goalscorer," said Donovan. "But he's a great soccer player ... I didn't realize [at first] what a great passer he was. The pass he gave me for the goal was fantastic; absolutely world class."

Takes one to know one.