Real Salt Lake won their first Major League Soccer championship on Sunday with a penalty shoot-out victory over David Beckham's LA Galaxy after the title game had ended in a 1-1 draw following extra time.

Beckham scored his penalty but Galaxy captain Landon Donovan was among those to miss as Salt Lake won the shoot-out 5-4 to capture a surprise victory just four years after entering the league.

Galaxy took the lead four minutes before the break through Mike Magee, who turned in a low cross from Donovan after good work from Beckham, but Salt Lake equalised in the 64th minute when Robbie Findley blasted in from close range.

After a scoreless extra-time, the shoot-out went into sudden-death and the Galaxy's Edson Buddle had his shot saved by Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando before Robbie Russell slotted home to secure the championship.

"It's always tough losing, whether it be penalties or normal play but of course we can be proud of where we have come to," said Beckham, whose team reached the championship final a year after having one of the worst records in the league.

Salt Lake were crowned champions, in front of a 46,000 crowd at Seattle Sounders' Qwest Field, despite having lost more games than they won in the regular season.

But Beckham, who had three injections in his right ankle before the game, said that Salt Lake deserved their success.

"They deserved to be here and they deserved to win tonight in the end," the midfielder told reporters.