Robbie Russell kicked the decisive penalty as the underdog Real Salt Lake beat the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy in a shootout Sunday for its first Major League Soccer championship. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando made two saves during the shootout – after the score was locked at 1-1 following extra time – and Galaxy star Landon Donovan missed badly over the crossbar. After Rimando smothered Edson Buddle's shot, Russell beat backup Los Angeles goalkeeper Josh Saunders into the lower left corner to set off a wild celebration for a comeback win. Robbie Findley scored in the 64th minute to equalize at 1-1 after Mike Magee gave Los Angeles the lead in the 41st minute off a perfect cross by Donovan. It was the second straight shootout victory for Salt Lake, which beat Chicago 5-4 on penalties last week in the Eastern Conference championship. “In certain games we saw what we were capable of, when we played our best soccer we were one of the best teams in the league,” Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis told reporters. Undaunted by reputations, it battled its way past 2008 champion Columbus Crew and the much-fancied Chicago Fire, also on penalties, to book its place in the league's Seattle showpiece. The unexpected win is a massive boost for the team's home city and the state of Utah, which has failed to produce national champions in any professional major league sport. The team, not one player, was the focus at Real Salt Lake, said captain Kyle Beckerman, who is the closest the club has to a big-name player. Beckham to continue David Beckham did all he could to win a football championship in a third country but it wasn't quite enough. The England veteran took three painkilling injections to dull the pain in his bruised right foot before Sunday night's MLS Cup title match. He set up his team's only goal. He played all 120 minutes, including 30 minutes of overtime. Then he banged in the first of the Galaxy's four penalties in a shootout. But after Real Salt Lake won on penalties over his star-studded Galaxy team, Beckham reiterated that he will return for the fourth season of his five-year MLS contract. “Of course,” the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder said of returning in 2010. “I've said I'll be back, and I will.” It will be his fourth season of a $32.5 million, five-year contract with the US league. Beckham says he will eventually exercise his option to buy an MLS club. His options begin with the 20th team in the league, which won't come until at least 2012. For now, he'll take four weeks off to rest his foot, then plans to report on Dec. 28 to begin training for his second consecutive season on loan to AC Milan. MLS Commissioner Don Garber clarified at halftime Sunday that Beckham's option starts with the MLS' 20th team, which won't arrive until 2012 at the earliest. Beckham's option stipulates he must be finished playing before he owns a team. The Galaxy brought Beckham in as a boost for the struggling team and the sport's low profile in America. Mission accomplished.
