Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, November 21, 2011

Like A Boss

Los Angeles Galaxy manager Bruce Arena was all smiles following the club's 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup 2011. Sunday, Arena elected to unveil one of the biggest secrets not known to those who follow the league.

All right, it wasn't a secret to begin with. The proof was in the pudding from Day One.

“The secret is that they are good players, and they play together as a team," Arena said, according to MLS Cup Communications. "Tonight, our team played well. We certainly didn’t do well in and around the penalty area. I think there were a few more goals there for us.

"Give Houston some great though, they hung in there. They were tough to score on. It was a great combination play between [Robbie] Keane and [Landon] Donovan to score that goal. It’s been a great year for our team and our organization.”

Arena became the first-ever manager to win three MLS Cup rings. He was the manager of the MLS Cup-winning D.C. United teams of 1996 and 1997.

So long and thanks for all the fish, David?

MLS Cup 2011 marked a fitting conclusion to what was a rollercoaster ride of a career for David Beckham that ultimately ended on a high. Earlier in the month, the midfielder was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year and now becomes just the second Englishman to win titles in three different countries.

“At Manchester United, I was lucky to almost win a trophy every year of my contract. At Real Madrid, it was just coincidence. And, I’ve now won a trophy here in my fifth year," Beckham told reporters.

The possibility of this being his final competitive match for the Galaxy is very strong, as a possible move to Ligue 1 leaders Paris-St. Germain seems imminent.

“We’ve been through a lot this season," Beckham said. "We’ve had a lot of games. Bruce and his staff are the ones that got us to this game tonight. Our families have put up with a lot this season with us being away.

"This makes it up for them.”

Captain America to the rescue!

It was only fitting that the Galaxy's captain, midfielder Landon Donovan, put the finishing touch to a banner year for the G's, scoring the game-winner in the 72nd minute of play.

When asked of the victory, Donovan was all smiles.

“It’s a sense of elation," Donovan said. "It has been a long year, a trying year. I’ve got to say that there are times through it all you get tired and mentally worn down. The way David has played through some pretty serious injuries that last few weeks has really inspired me. I think it forced a lot of us just to get on with it.”

But what was even sweeter was that the victory came at the Home Depot Center. In front of a home crowd. In what was essentially a glorified home game. The season finale of all season finales. And the superlatives go on and on.

“As an athlete, it’s an unbelievable accomplishment to be able to win a championship in your own stadium," Donovan said. "It makes it better. The atmosphere was fantastic tonight. The stadium was electric. And, to do it in your own stadium is really, really special. I’m going to remember this forever.”