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Beckham bows out of Los Angeles with Hollywood ending: Superstar finishes his last game for Galaxy with title win


By JAMES NYE
In true Hollywood style David Beckham ended his five-year stay in American football with a triumphant victory as his LA Galaxy lifted the MLS Cup on Saturday night.
Having announced that the final would be his last act as a Galaxy player, the former England captain was substituted late on in the match as the Los Angeles team retained the trophy won in dramatic fashion last year.
Emerging from half-time 1-0 down to Houston Dynamo, a quick fire burst of two goals in five minutes from Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan and a penalty from Robbie Keane deep into injury-time ensured that the MLS Cup had a fairytale ending for the league's most iconic player.
Dream End: Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham holds the MLS Cup aloft after winning the trophy in his last ever game for the American soccer outfitDream End: Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham holds the MLS Cup aloft after winning the trophy in his last ever game for the American soccer outfit
‘It is a special day for us to win it here at our home, in front of our home fans,’ said an emotional Beckham, who again hinted that he would soon be involved in the MLS as a club owner.
‘It is a sad day as well. This is a special place for me and will continue to be a special place.
‘I have no idea where I will go next. I do know that I am happy to have been part of this club for six years and been successful for the last four years.
‘I will continue with my commitment to this league. I might not be playing here any more but my commitment to growing this sport and this league will continue.’
Unlike last year when he was nursing a hamstring injury, Beckham, 37, displayed his full range of skills, launching huge 40-yard passes up the field in an attempt to conjure victory in his last game.
In addition to pinging passes, Beckham was almost able to conjure a goal from one of his trademark free-kicks, but the attempt was deflected and team mate Robbie Keane pounced on it but the goal was declared offside.
The home crowd unfurled banners declaring their love for Beckham and with the game in injury time with the score finely poised at 2-1, Robbie Keane was brought down in the Houston box and a penalty was awarded to the Galaxy.

Los Angeles Galaxy captain Landon Donvan holds up the MLS Trophy as David Beckham (lower left) and other teammates celebrate their 3-1 defeat of the Huston Dynamo in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup
Los Angeles Galaxy captain Landon Donvan holds up the MLS Trophy as David Beckham (lower left) and other teammates celebrate their 3-1 defeat of the Huston Dynamo in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup

Surprisingly, with the stage set for a dramatic send off for the former England captain, Beckham did not take the penalty, which Keane converted all but sealing the cup and sending the crowd into rapture.
It was Landon Donovan, put the Galaxy ahead with a penalty kick in the 65th minute ensuring and David Beckham left MLS as a double champion.

Replaced one minute before the end of the match to a standing ovation, Beckham hugged most of his team mates as he left the field at the Home Depot Center, where the LA Galaxy play their home MLS games.

Omar Gonzalez tied it in the 61st minute with a long header for the Los Angeles team, who defended their title in a rematch of last season’s championship game.

End of an Era: Los Angeles Galaxy player David Beckham waves to the as his team beat the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup in Los Angeles, California, this evening 3-1
End of an Era: Los Angeles Galaxy player David Beckham waves to the as his team beat the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup in Los Angeles, California, this evening 3-1

Not According to the Plan: Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham walks off the field at halftime 0-1 down against Houston Dynamo in the MLS Championship in Los Angeles
Not According to the Plan: Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham walks off the field at halftime 0-1 down against Houston Dynamo in the MLS Championship in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham celebrates after teammate Omar Gonzalez scored the equallising goal against Houston Dynamo during the second half of the MLS Cup
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham celebrates after teammate Omar Gonzalez scored the equallising goal against Houston Dynamo during the second half of the MLS Cup

Last Game: Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan, (center), celebrates his goal during the second half of the MLS Cup championship soccer match against the Houston Dynamo
Last Game: Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan, (center), celebrates his goal during the second half of the MLS Cup championship soccer match against the Houston Dynamo
David Beckham, (left) celebrates with Landon Donovan during the second half of the MLS Cup championship soccer match after the USA forward converted a penalty to take LA Galaxy into the lead   David Beckham, (left) celebrates with Landon Donovan during the second half of the MLS Cup championship soccer match after the USA forward converted a penalty to take LA Galaxy into the lead
David Beckham, (left) celebrates with Landon Donovan during the second half of the MLS Cup championship soccer match after the USA forward converted a penalty to take LA Galaxy into the lead

Down But Not Out: Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham takes a fall during MLS Cup final against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening
LA Galaxy's David Beckham reacts during the MLS Cup Final at the Home Depot Center - as his team eventually emerged victorious 3-1 over Houston Dynamo
With a stirring second-half surge inspired by Beckham and capped by Robbie Keane’s goal with another penalty kick in injury time, Los Angeles won its fourth MLS Cup, tying D.C. United for the MLS record.
The Galaxy also gave an appropriate farewell to Beckham, who has been credited with transforming the league and his team over six seasons in Los Angeles.
Beckham will play elsewhere in the new year, but he hasn’t disclosed his immediate plans. 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.
Donovan even redeemed himself for missing an open net in the 13th minute by burying his penalty kick after a Houston handball in the box.
The U.S. national team star, who is also contemplating retiring altogether from soccer, won his record-tying fifth MLS title while scoring his fifth career MLS Cup goal and the record 22nd goal of this season.

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