Beckham advances to first MLS final

David Beckham set up a goal with one of his trademark crosses as the Los Angeles Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup final with a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday.

The 36-year-old English midfielder is now due to play for his first MLS title in the final game of his five-year contract in Los Angeles.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult game,” Beckham said. “We knew we were always going to be creating scoring chances so it was all about stopping them.”

Beckham set up Mike Magee for a goal in the 58th minute. Landon Donovan had earlier scored and Ireland striker Robbie Keane would go on to get the third for the Galaxy who will face the Houston Dynamo for the championship on Nov. 20.

The match will take place at the Galaxy’s Home Depot Center in south central Los Angeles after Houston beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in the other semi-final Sunday.

Beckham’s cross enabled Magee to score his third goal of the season.

“When we walked through the tunnel for the second half, we heard some of their players saying we were tired, we were done,” he said. “I think that inspired us. We’re happy to be winning the final, but we’re not getting carried away.”

Beckham said winning an MLS Cup would be comparable to some of the other titles he has won.

“As a professional you always want to be successful. I have done it for most of my career. It always means the same whether it’s winning the MLS Cup, the European Cup or La Liga,” he said.