Donovan leads and everyone follows to lift Galaxy

SEATTLE — He looked zoned out sitting behind the table, microphone in his face, lights glaring into his eyes, talking about a season that's gone so right for himself and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Finally, Landon Donovan paused and almost asked permission to speak candidly. To really say why a Galaxy team that was so dysfunctional a year ago and this year was surrounded by distraction now finds itself playing Real Salt Lake for the MLS Cup title on Sunday.

"There are a few points that stand out to me. One was having (coach) Bruce (Arena) come in and just create stability, which we hadn't had for a while. And candidly, the second was David's reaction to everything that's gone on," Donovan said with David Beckham seated a few inches away. "Life is about choices. He could have come in and chosen to be something different than he has been. He chose to be a man and want this team to be successful. Without him, we're not where we are."

The gambit Major League Soccer embarked in 2007, when Beckham made his MLS debut to help boost the game in America for a price tag that still causes whiplash from the double-takes, could pay off on Sunday night.

Though Beckham's decision to leave Madrid for Hollywood was greeted with much skepticism, there was hope that his talents would draw increased interest in the league, victories on the field and ultimately titles for the Galaxy.

Now comes that opportunity for Beckham to help deliver a title for the league's marquee team against a scrappy, overlooked squad from Utah.

"I've been able to play in great leagues and play for big teams, and winning championships and cups with those teams is always exciting," Beckham said. "And so is this. This is the first time I've been in the playoffs and the first time I've been in the MLS Cup. I'm proud to be on this team."

When Beckham arrived this summer after finishing his loan to AC Milan, he returned to the Galaxy during their tipping point. They spent the early stages of the season scuffling on the field, learning how to play with one another under Arena's guidance, drawing in 11 of their first 13 games. Donovan was the clear leader, but he missed a chunk of the acclimation period while helping the U.S. national team reach the finals of the Confederation Cup.

Then there was the controversy sparked by Donovan's comments in Grant Wahl's "The Beckham Experiment," a book chronicling and critical of Beckham's first two seasons with the Galaxy. Donovan criticized Beckham's leadership and effort in the book.

The first day the two were together in Los Angeles, Donovan apologized to the English star for airing his thoughts in public. Los Angeles had won four straight when Beckham arrived and instead of letting a possible locker room issue linger the two stars got their differences settled immediately.

"It's just been one of those years where there has been obstacles," Beckham said "And it's about how teams and individuals respond to those obstacles. Some are bigger than others.

"We've responded in the right way — we've done it on the field and kept quiet off it. Whether that's annoyed people or not, it's made us happy."

While the Galaxy and their starry duo gather the headlines ahead of the final, the postseason run by Real Salt Lake is worth just as much recognition. After finishing with an 11-12-7 record in the regular season, Real ousted Columbus in the first round with a 3-2 victory in Columbus, then beat Chicago on penalty kicks to reach the finals.

"We just kind of peaked at the right time. It was like that last year and again this year; we wait until the end of the season to play well," Real midfielder Andy Williams said. "It's paying off right now."

Los Angeles also sparked late in the season, finishing 6-3-3 after Beckham arrived. More importantly, Donovan says Beckham provided the creativity to spark the Galaxy's offensive attack, and let the supporting cast around the star-studded duo contribute without needing to exceed their capabilities.

"(David's) a great guy and loves to play this game and takes a lot of pride in his performance and the attitude and the play he's brought to our team this year has been remarkable," said Arena, who is going after his third MLS title.

After years of being considered the best player in America, Donovan added his first MLS MVP award on Thursday. The honor might be as much a recognition of his leadership in turning around last year's league-worst L.A. squad, and the handling of the fallout from his comments about Beckham. Donovan's teammates rave about his demeanor this season and his willingness to be out front and let the younger members of the Galaxy's roster follow his lead.

Ultimately, they say the relationship between Donovan and Beckham is a huge factor in why the Galaxy are playing for their first title since 2005.

"The way that he's led this team has been remarkable. I don't want to call it a transformation of Landon as a player, but to see how he's taken that game to his next level," Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said. "This year he was very determined to carry this team. Not do everything by himself, but do whatever the team needed. He's done that the whole year on the field, in the locker room, he's been a true leader for this team."