Indonesia 0 LA Galaxy 1

The Galaxy continued their MLS form as they start their Asia Pacific Tour 2011. With the whole squad minus a couple (Ricketts having been traded and Birchall left at home to deal with domestic affairs), it was nonetheless a lot a unfamiliar faces that graced the Indonesian turf to grind out a win for The Galaxy in typical gritty style. One would like to think that a full star-studded squad would have made more of an impression, but a win is a win, and The Galaxy have 'blooded' some players who normally don't get the chance to play under the top-class spotlight.

It was Robbie Keane who scored after 14 minutes, the ball falling to him out of a penalty-box scramble - his finish was sharp and precise as he placed it just inside the right-hand post. More chances followed but went unconverted, and the home side was lucky to only concede the one goal in the first half.

Keane was substituted at 60 minutes, and Beckham had a few set-pieces to try a trade-mark goal, but failed to find the mark. Beckham stayed on the park for almost 85 minutes and left to a standing ovation. Indonesia came into the game more in the second half and crafted a few chances without managing to get anything past reserve keeper Brian Perk. The Galaxy see the game out retaining the one goal lead.

The 2011 MLS Final LA Galaxy 1 Houston Dynamo 0

The Galaxy settle in quickly and have the majority of the possession in the first half, plenty of chances to get forward but no efforts on target. Beckham does his fair share of set-up play by pinging balls to the front men. The first half ends 0 -0, but LA are looking likely to score at any minute. The Galaxy have Keane, Cristman and Donovan running rings around the Dynamo defence, Magee spurned a chance near the end of the first half. Cristman headed over the bar under pressure, plenty of corners have been forced, everything but a goal..

Cristman was visibly struggling and was replaced by Birchall early in the second half as The Galaxy continued to pile the pressure.

Keane had the ball in the back of the net just before the hour mark, but he was judged (wrongly according to the replays) to be offside, this rallied Houston a little and they turned attackers for a short spell.

However, it was Donovan who broke the deadlock on 72 minutes combining with Beckham and Keane and scoring the only goal of the final and securing the victory for The Galaxy. The Galaxy hold on to take the title, Beckham gets another yellow card...

Any other result would not have been right on the night, had they not found the net, it would have gone to extra time and penalties - The Galaxy out-classed Houston on the night, and have been consistent all season, if ever a trophy were deserved, this one was...

If this is how the five-season experiment ends, finally one can say it ends with success, a league title which incidentally, I think Beckham has won with every team he has played for.

We wait to see what Beckham will decide, bearing in mind the nagging back injury, the burning desire to play in the Olympics and the demands of a young family.

LA Galaxy 3 Real Salt Lake 1

The Galaxy get off to a good start with a Landon Donovan penalty after 22 minutes. Up to that point, both sides had chances to score, and neither team had a good hold on the match. This was borne out 2 minutes later when RSL convert a corner to level the match at 1-1. From this point, LA look to be taking control of the match keeping possession and creating chances, Salt Lake largely restricted to hitting Galaxy on the break. Both teams hit the woodwork in a busy first half, but the honours are even at half-time 1-1.

Just 13 mins into the second half, Mike Magee got his head onto a Beckham cross for Galaxy to take the lead. Just 10 minutes later, the result was more or less sealed as Donovan fed Keane to take the score to 3-1. A couple of yellows were picked up on the night (NOT by Beckham who is now on an extended run of not getting booked..), but nothing that will prevent players taking part in the MLS final in two weeks time. Beckham was sub'd during extra time, but stood up to the task well considering that games have been coming thick and fast this week, and the continued concern over his back injury.

Keane looks to be over his injury worries, just needs to hit the net more than hitting the post (it's a bigger target after all!). Beckham will be looking to take this chance to win his first MLS cup, having lost the final in 2009 (on penalties), and lost the semi-final in 2010, LA are hopefully a little wiser and better prepared in 2011.

LA Galaxy 2 New York Red Bulls 1 (3-1 agg.)

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, LA Galaxy take on New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot. It was New York who struck first after just three and a half minutes. Henry fed Rodgers splitting the Galaxy defence open, Rodgers passed the ball into the net to level the two-leg tie. Luke Rodgers lost his head a bit after the goal, getting a booking for 'unsporting behaviour', then fortunate not to get a second before 10 minutes have elapsed as he fires the ball into the crowd in frustration. However, in general Red Bulls are looking the most composed of the two teams early on. After the initial knock-back, LA begin press the visitors and come close a couple of times. There was a short-lived scare for LA fans when Beckham was helped off the field clutching his back, but he then rejoined the play and delivered the perfect corner for Mike Magee to head into the net on 42 mins for 1-1 on the night, 2-1 ahead over the two legs.

Beckham returned for the second half, and after plenty of goalmouth action, if was Beckham who won a penalty after being kicked in the ribs from behind whilst shielding the ball in the box.

Donovan stepped up to calmly stroke the ball home, 3-1 up in the tie and LA are in full control with 15 minutes left on the clock. This was just about enough for Beckham who spent enough time on the turf for one match and was substituted with about 12 minutes remaining.

Hopefully the back will hold out for the home game against Real Salt Lake on Sunday for the Western Conference Championship game - if successful, LA hope to be playing in the MLS final on 20th November especially as it will be played at the Home Depot Center.

Beckham News

I have been saying all along that Beckham would probably hold to the MLS to the franchise deal that was included in his five-year contract, however this is something for retirement and does not answer the question of where Beckham will play out his career.

It looks likely that he may retire after 2012 if he manages to make it to the GB squad, but whether this is a pipe-dream remains to be seen.

I am quite certain that Capello will not pick Beckham for the England squad - whether Pearce will pick him for the GB squad is surely not exactly nailed-on? although if you check with the bookies - they have him as odds-on for a place in the squad.

The question remains where will Beckham sign next, and as someone who has been observing his tactics for the last few years it will be somewhere that promotes his chances of a GB squad placing, and surely the best place for that will be Spurs? Paris St Germaine gets him into Europe, but now we know what the agenda is:

1. Olympics
2. Retirement
3. MLS Franchise

...a place at Tottenham with Harry Redknapp (confirmed Beckham fan) would surely

be preferable to playing in France? I suppose when you look at it from Pearce's point of view, having Beckham to call on gives you a lot of positives including an undisputed world-class set-

piece expert (not including penalties of course). He potentially plays holding mid-field and can still curl devastating ball into the box from mid-field as well as from the right wing. With Gerrard looking rather injury-prone at the moment, and Lampard not being a dead-cert any more, there may be central gaps that Pearce will want to fill.

In other Olympic news, already Welsh contenders have annoyed the

Welsh FA by being pictured in the GB kit. The non-English home nations don't want their players to be involved as they are worried about losing their identity. To be honest the Welsh, Scottish & NI FA's don't really have an identity to be worried about - their leagues are hardly high-profile, and they should be gracious enough to give their blessing to players who want to play at a level that would normally be denied them

.

New York Red Bulls 0 LA Galaxy 1

The Galaxy headed up to New York in the cold and managed to steal a win away from home in the first leg of the play-off with the Red Bulls.

The goal came early in the game after Robbie Keane had already hit the bar - Beckham lobs the defence for a very much on-side Mike Magee to volley home on his left foot.

After the break, a re-invigorated New York side came out to get back on even terms, but Josh Saunders managed to keep them out. Donovan spurned a clear chance to go two goals ahead which would have been a useful cushion for the return leg. Despite the pressure from New York, the game finishes 1-0 to The Galaxy, but there was an unsightly fracas at the end of the game which left a couple of Red Bull players on the floor and Juninho needing protection from the officials and his team-mates. Juninho and Marquez (Red Bulls) received red cards for their part in the action and will miss the return leg - Everyone else will no doubt be fired up for Thursday at the Home Depot...

Beckham manages another full 90 minutes (probably more like 95) without a booking..

Houston Dynamo 3 LA Galaxy 1

This was a chance to rest the first team and send out the youngsters as The Galaxy are already in a commanding lead of the Western Conference, the result however did seal Houston's entry to the play-offs. No sign of Beckham, Donovan or Keane for this one and it was LA teenager Jack McBean who got his first MLS goal just two minutes from full-time, in an otherwise forgettable match.

The majority of the play was dominated by The Dynamo putting pressure on The Galaxy goal, LA displayed quite a degree of naivity in conceding the three goals which was probably to be expected. The one bright spot of the night was down to Chad Barrett's generosity in squaring a ball when he could have taken a shot, leaving McBean on open net to aim at with time to take a touch.

The Galaxy now head to the play-offs on Sunday Oct 30th away at either Colorado, Columbus or New York - they will play a home leg on Thursday November 3rd

LA Galaxy 1 Motagua 0

This win ensured that The Galaxy head Group A in the CONCACAF and they secured a place in the quarter finals. Keane is still not fit, and Donovan came on as a substitute. It was Juninho who took the only game of the match on the half-hour mark with a 30 yard effort which looped over the keepers head and dipped just under the bar.

Despite Motagua's best efforts to force their way back into the game, The Galaxy emerge victorious putting behind them a few lacklustre performances earlier on in the campaign.

The Galaxy could face Salvadoran club Isidro Metapán or fellow MLS sides Toronto FC or Seattle Sounders in the quarterfinals

Where will Beckham go next?

As the MLS season comes to an end, speculation is mounting over which way Beckham will turn when it comes to signing a new contract.

I have to say that the easiest option would surely be to stay with the Galaxy, or even switch to a different MLS team with the option of an MLS franchise in the future. Gathering momentum now (thanks to the Daily Mail and various French newspapers) is the proposed move to PSG under former AC Milan head coach Leonardno. Speculation is fuelled by the fact that PSG have new wealthy owners who would like to make an immediate impact by bringing in some big names.

No doubt Mrs Beckham would feel quite at home in Paris, but it is doubtful that Beckham will want to drag the family away from LA, unless it was a move back to the UK.

I am still of the opinion that Tottenham is the most likely premiership team who will be able to swing the deal unless Sir Alex has a sudden change of heart (which is not likely).

When you look at all the options and factor in the fact that Beckham is highly unlikely to get another shot at an international appearance, I believe The Galaxy looks like the option that keeps most people happy. However, there is no knowing what Beckham's personal ambitions are - so there is always the chance of a surprise.

La Galaxy 1 Chivas USA 0

No Landon Donovan for this game, and Juan Pablo Angel's first chance to face the Galaxy since he left, and since leaving turned himself into a regular goal machine.

Galaxy nearly score in the first minute when Chad Barrett rounded the keeper, but had his shot cleared off the line by in-rushing defenders. The Galaxy keep pressuring mainly through Beckham's steady provision of curling balls into the box from the right wing, although most of his moves start from the middle of the park in his now familiar central role. Despite this service, Chad Barrett doesn't manage to create a goal and towards the latter stages of the half, Chivas build up more of an attack and begin to gain ground in the Galaxy half of the pitch. Despite good chances from both teams, the first half ends without any goals.

It was a combination of Cristman and Barrett that broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, Cristman floating a cross from the right for Barrett to head home, 1-0 The Galaxy, a score destined not to change despite a late rally by Angel whose old team mates were only too anxious to nip in the bud. Galaxy deserved the win, Beckham played another 90 minutes without getting a caution - Beckham however is missing the quality up front that Donovan normally provides, Donovan trained this week, so hopefully will be ready at least by next weekend to take an active part in the game.

CONCACAF on Thursday, final game of the regular season next Sunday against Houston Dynamo away.

NY Red Bulls 2 LA Galaxy 0

Although The Galaxy missed out on the change of clinching the supporters shield on the night, Seattle's loss at the weekend secured a second successive supporters shield win for LA Galaxy.

On the night, LA were missing Keane and Donovan and looked a shadow of the team that normally puts in a decent effort at least. Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry scored on the half-hour and hour mark respectively, not only that but both NY strikers hit the inside of the post during the match allowing The Galaxy to get away with a defeat rather than a humiliation. On a positive note, that's back to back games in which Beckham has avoided a yellow card..!

Hopefully, the team will find some motivation from somewhere for the play-offs with two more league games to come and a concacaf game taking us up to the end of October.

In the meantime, Leornardo is apparently still pushing to have Beckham at Paris St Germain with some French press speculating that the deal is agreed in principle and just needs a signature. This is unlikely to be accurate, and until David puts pen to paper, the speculation will no doubt continue. There are few that would doubt that this next deal will probably be the last, and the previous requirements to impress the England manager is not so pressing as Beckham is unlikely to earn any more caps.

At this juncture I would say that he will likely as not stay at Galaxy as they are sure to want him - a move to England would be risky, but if it was going to happen, I would say Tottenham under Harry Redknapp. I don't see a bid by any other European club being considered seriously, but you never know...

LA Galaxy 2 Real Salt Lake 1

Headline news today, David Beckham plays 90 minutes without getting a caution - in other news.. LA pull a 2-1 win out of the hat after going down a goal right at the end of the first half. The goal after a largely uneventful first 45 minutes, from a corner kick beautifully headed into the corner leaving Josh Saunders no chance.

In the second half, Beckham finds Chad Barrett from distance in space in the penalty box, the ball looks like it is going to be sheilded out, but Barrett pokes at it with his left boot and scores to level the game on the hour mark.

Just 11 minutes later, it is another Beckham delivery, this time a free-kick that finds a target in the box, the resulting shot hits two real players before hitting the back of the net to ensure LA have yet another home win in what is turning out to be a spectacular season for them.

No sign of back problems for Beckham, and with Robbie Keane back in the frame, The Galaxy are look set to take the Supporters Shield and maybe more..