David Beckham Bemoans Galaxy's Inability To Cap Off Year With MLS Cup Win

The LA Galaxy couldn't put the cherry on top of a productive season by winning the MLS Cup.

Nov 23, 2009 2:46:41 AM

David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS (MLSnet)

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David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS (MLSnet)

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SEATTLE – David Beckham played through the physical pain only to suffer the emotional pain of losing a cup final.

After assisting the Los Angeles Galaxy's goal and confidently smashing home the first penalty kick of the shootout, David Beckham watched Real Salt Lake hoist the MLS Cup when all was said and done.

Regular and extra time couldn't separate the sides on a brisk night in Qwest Field, so the teams turned to penalties. There, both goalkeepers saved two to take it down to sudden death, where Nick Rimando came out the hero again.

As the rest of the Galaxy team started to trickle out of the stadium in a herd, Beckham moved in the other direction to stand directly next to the podium as MLS commissioner Don Garber presented the trophy to the Salt Lake players. Eventually, many of the Galaxy players followed Beckham's lead, standing and watching their rivals enjoy the victory.

In Beckham's mind, a quality opponent won.

“I've been hearing all week that Salt Lake are unfavored, but we haven't beat them this season,” he pointed out in the locker room after the match.

In by far his most important game as an MLS player, the England international struggled through an ankle injury to participate. He wore a foot brace through most of the week and only started training on Friday. Before the match Sunday he took injections to help deal with the pain from bone bruising.

“I had three injections in my ankle and it wore off after about 50 minutes,” the 34-year-old admitted. “It got worse and worse during the game. That's what happens when you have an injury like that. It's part of it. I knew it was like that going into the game.”

Much like he wouldn't blame the injury, he also wouldn't blame the lottery of penalties.

“The people brave enough to step up: if you score, great; if you miss then it's hard to take,” Beckham said, before using similar logic on the much-maligned turf field. “It's alright. The ball rolls well, there's no bumps on it. Like I said, it was the same for both teams.”

Despite the pain of the loss, Beckham considers the season a positive one. The LA Galaxy finished first in the Western Conference, a complete turnaround from a disaster 2008 year. Beckham in particular silenced his critics with quality displays in the middle of the park to lead LA on a late run which culminated in winning the Western Conference title and qualifying for the MLS Cup.

“I think we've been successful this year,” Beckham said. “We've quieted a few people along the way which is always nice. We just couldn't finish it off tonight.”

Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com

How is England's lack of youth development hurting the national team? Find out in the November issue of Goal.com Magazine.

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