Published 12/1/2012 9:51:40 PM by Roberto Garcia from soccermogul

In the end there was just too much veteran talent on the Galaxy as they surged past the Houston Dynamo with three second half goals to win MLS Cup 2012.  The Dynamo opened well and actually led 1-0 at the half, but the 2nd half saw Los Angeles flex their muscle behind their stars David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez.

Two lapses early in the second half would turn the tide after Calen Carr had staked Houston to a 1-0 lead.  Lax marking on a set piece allowed Omar Gonzalez to rise up and head home the tying goal.  Minutes later a Ricardo Clark handball led to a Landon Donovan penalty kick that gave the Galaxy a lead they would not relinquish.  A late Robbie Keane penalty settled the match at 3-1.

It was a fitting end to the Galaxy tenure of David Beckham.  Love him or hate him one cannot deny the positive influence he has had on MLS and its growth.  One also cannot deny the influence of Robbie Keane who was a man amongst boys during this MLS postseason run to the title.

The loss will be a tough pill to swallow for the Dynamo.  It is the second year in a row they have not been able to finish the deal in the MLS Cup.  For long stretches Saturday they were the better side.  “I think we outplayed them, but it doesn’t matter how you outplay teams,” said defender Bobby Boswell “We’ve been outplayed on the road this year and some places and we got results. Tonight they got the result and credit to LA."

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