Beckham, Galaxy beaming after win

LA happy to put distance between itself, rest of West

By Simon Jude Samano / MLSnet.com Staff

"We needed three points, and we're happy," said David Beckham, who hit the late winner. (AP)

CARSON, Calif. -- David Beckham's previously strained relationship with Los Angeles Galaxy fans well documented, he was asked in the locker room Saturday what it felt like to score his first league goal since his return to MLS at home against his team's biggest rival.

To which Beckham actually blushed a little, flashing his pearly whites.

"It always helps, of course, you know," Beckham said. "It's always nice to score a goal. It's always nice to win a game, especially when it's against your rivals. It was a big game for us, because we wanted to keep our momentum up in the playoff spot. We needed three points, and we're happy."

Indeed, Beckham and the Galaxy were all smiles after they defeated archrival Chivas USA 1-0 to win the SuperClasico on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.

Clinging to second place in the Western Conference standings heading into the night, the victory was huge for the Galaxy (9-4-11, 38 points) for a couple of reasons.

"One, the breathing room from Chivas (10-9-3, 33 points)," midfielder Landon Donovan said. "And two the breathing room a little bit from the rest of the league, because we've played more games than everyone. Now they have a chance to catch up, so it's good to have a little bit of a cushion."

After what had been a frustrating night offensively for the Galaxy, Beckham scored the game's only goal in the 80th minute when a throw-in by Todd Dunivant bounced off the head of defender Omar Gonzalez. The ball landed right in front of Beckham, who boomed it in from 18 yards away for the score, sending the sellout crowd into a frenzy.

"I didn't anticipate the ball bouncing and going through the way it did," Beckham said. "With it being a (humid) night and a wet pitch, I knew I had to hit it down because it was bouncing awkwardly. Sometimes they can end up in the crowd, but thankfully it ended up in the back of the net."

Until that point, the Galaxy hadn't mounted much of an attack. In the first half, Chivas USA controlled the game at a furious pace and outshot the Galaxy 8-3.

"Our passing was terrible," Beckham said. "We kept giving the ball away. We couldn't get in a rhythm. Sometimes that happens, and you just persist."

The mindset of persistence is what ultimately paid off. So long as they didn't give up the big play, the Galaxy knew their time would eventually come.

"They had to come out and push the game I think because of the situation they're in," Donovan said. "They did a good job in the first half, but we also knew they had played midweek (and lost 4-0 to Real Salt Lake). They played a lot of the same guys, and I think we wore them down a little in the second half."

The Galaxy pushed hard in the second half, outshooting Chivas USA 7-1 -- including 5-0 in shots on goal. Until eventually Beckham came through in the 80th minute for the Galaxy's 10th goal scored this season in the final 14 minutes.

Needless to say, it was the type of win that builds character late in the season for a playoff push. Head coach Bruce Arena was very pleased.

"Our team continues to make progress," Arena said. "You have to win games like this. This was a tough game, and I think our concentration and discipline over 90 minutes was real good."

Beckham -- who arrived midseason after finishing up a loan spell with AC Milan, much to the chagrin of some fans -- said he's happy with how well the team has meshed since his return.

"There was a lot of hard work being done before I arrived," Beckham said. "The players worked hard themselves, and with me coming back into the frame it's great to see the way things have come together and the togetherness of the team."

Simon Jude Samano is a contributor to MLSnet.com