Print edition: 
SEATTLE — Landon Donovan looked zoned out behind the table, microphone in his face, lights glaring into his eyes, talking about a season that's gone so right for himself and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Finally, he paused and almost asked permission to speak candidly. To really say why a Galaxy team that was so dysfunctional a year ago and this year was surrounded by distraction now finds itself playing Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final today.
' 'There are a few points that stand out to me. One was having (coach) Bruce (Arena) come in and just create stability, which we hadn't had for a while. And candidly, the second was David's reaction to everything that's gone on,'' Donovan said with David Beckham seated beside him. ''Life is about choices. He could have come in and chosen to be something different than he has been. He chose to be a man and want this team to be successful. Without him, we're not where we are.''
The gamble Major League Soccer embarked on in 2007, when Beckham made his MLS debut to help boost the game in America for a price tag that still causes whiplash from the double-takes, could pay off today.
Though Beckham's decision to leave Real Madrid for Hollywood was greeted with much skepticism, there was hope that his talents would draw increased interest in the league, victories on the field and ultimately titles for the Galaxy.
Now comes that opportunity for Beckham to help deliver a title for the league's marquee team against a scrappy, overlooked squad from Utah.
' 'I've been able to play in great leagues and play for big teams, and winning championships and cups with those teams is always exciting,'' Beckham said. ''And so is this. This is the first time I've been in the playoffs and the first time I've been in the MLS Cup. I'm proud to be on this team.''
When Beckham arrived this summer after finishing his loan to AC Milan, he returned to the Galaxy during their tipping point. They spent the early stages of the season scuffling on the field, learning how to play with one another under Arena's guidance, drawing 11 of their first 13 games. Donovan was the clear leader, but he missed a chunk of the acclimation period while helping the U.S. reach the final of the Confederation Cup.
Then there was the controversy sparked by Donovan's comments in Grant Wahl's ''The Beckham Experiment,'' a book chronicling and critical of Beckham's first two seasons with the Galaxy. Donovan criticized Beckham's leadership and effort in the book.
The first day the two were together in Los Angeles, Donovan apologized to the English star for airing his thoughts in public. Los Angeles had won four straight when Beckham arrived and instead of letting a possible locker room issue linger the two stars got their differences settled immediately.
' 'It's just been one of those years where there has been obstacles,'' Beckham said. ''And it's about how teams and individuals respond to those obstacles. Some are bigger than others.
' 'We've responded in the right way — we've done it on the field and kept quiet off it. Whether that's annoyed people or not, it's made us happy.''
