Beckham goes all out despite injury

Seattle: 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 for Los Angeles. 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 shoot-out.

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.

As promised

"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 (Dh119 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 December 28 to begin training for his second consecutive season on loan to AC Milan.

Hopeful

Before returning to MLS, the 34-year-old hopes to make England's team for the World Cup in South Africa. His Sunday was like his team's: a flashy, productive start that fizzled into a slog through the overtime.

"The injections wore off after about 50 minutes," he said.

It showed. His passes often fell short in the second half.

In the 58th minute, he was flat-footed and seemed surprised by a shot taken a few feet in front of him by Salt Lake's Robbie Findley.