Beckham buoyed by Galaxy win

David Beckham has declared Los Angeles Galaxy full of confidence heading into the MLS playoffs.

Galaxy beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0 in their final game of the regular season on Sunday.

Beckham played 62 minutes at the Home Depot Center in his first appearance in three games because of a recurring ankle injury.

As well as feeling positive about his own form, Beckham said the win was hugely important for his team’s momentum in search of their second consecutive MLS crown.

“Seattle are one of the best teams in the league so it was an important game for a few reasons,” he said.

“We have to have a sense of urgency now. We are heading into the playoffs and a big game on Thursday. Hopefully if we get through that then we will worry about the other games.”

Los Angeles play host to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a sudden-death fixture on Thursday, with the winner to meet the San Jose Earthquakes for a berth in the Western Conference final.

“We wanted to get some rhythm and some continuity heading into the playoffs,” captain Landon Donovan said.

“We certainly weren’t perfect and we were maybe a little lucky at times and Josh (Saunders) made some good saves but I thought we actually played pretty well and I hope we feel good now heading into the playoffs.”

The loss condemned Seattle to third in the Western Conference, behind Real Salt Lake who they take on in a two-legged semi-final starting on November 2.