Hector Jimenez gave defending MLS champion Galaxy the lead after three minutes but he was then sent off on the hour.

Despite being reduced to 10 men the home side extended its lead through Mike Magee (73).

But goals from Steven Lenhart (76), a Khari Stephenson penalty (82) and Alan Gordon (90) secured all three points for the visitor.

New York Red Bulls came from behind to extend its Eastern Conference lead to two points with a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA.

The visitor took the lead through Juan Pablo Angel but Dan Richards earned the home side a point.

Justin Meram and Emilio Renteria scored for Columbus Crew in the 2-0 away at Seattle Sounders.

FC Dallas led through a goal from Matt Hedges (41) but Sebastian Grazzini (45) and Marco Pappa (63) scored to seal a 2-1 win for Chicago Fire.

The side kicks off against Columbus Crew on July 24, plays Orlando City - which is led by former Stoke favourite Adrian Heath and has manager Tony Pulis' son Anthony on the playing staff - four days later before rounding off its trip against Sporting Kansas City on August 1.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the club, not only in terms of the quality of the pre-season test it will provide for the squad, but also in raising our profile even higher on a global scale," chief executive Tony Scholes told stokecityfc.com.

"It will give the squad the chance to work in excellent surroundings and we know that the opposition will provide a stern test.

"It was only natural that any trip to the States should feature a game against Orlando because of our strong affiliation with the club and this will undoubtedly enhance what is a close association with them."

Eric Brunner opened the scoring for Portland in the 20th minute, ending a run of 448 minutes without a goal for Timbers but Jalil Anibaba levelled six minutes before the break.

Logan Pause inadvertently struck the decisive blow when he put the ball into his own net seven minutes into the second half.

The win, just Portland's third of the season, lifted it above Galaxy, which lost to Chivas USA on Sunday (AEST).

New York fell behind after Bernardo Corradi's 22nd-minute penalty, but levelled with a spot-kick of its own from Kenny Cooper 12 minutes later.

Victor Palsson saw red after 58 minutes as he collected a second yellow card, but Red Bulls made light of its numerical disadvantage by netting the winner through Richards nine minutes later.

The side's win keeps it a point clear of DC United, which beat Toronto FC 3-1.

Dwayne De Rosario scored after 57 seconds then again two minutes before the break, and when Toronto's Danny Koevermans pulled one back in the 71st minute, Hamdi Salihi replied two minutes later, settling any nerves.

Sporting Kansas City lost ground on the leader as it was held to a 2-2 draw at Colorado Rapids.

Rapids looked poised for victory when Teal Bunbury scored twice in the first 14 minutes, but Tyrone Marshall put into the back of the net for the host after 52 minutes, with Kosuke Kimura levelling on the hour mark.

San Jose Earthquakes missed its chance to go level on points with Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake as it was held to a 1-1 draw by the Columbus Crew.

It could have been worse for the Quakes, who trailed on the stroke of half-time through Justin Meram, with Alan Gordon rescuing a point in the last minute.

Chivas USA ended a run of six straight defeats against the Los Angeles Galaxy as Jose Correa's 72nd-minute penalty gave it a 1-0 win over its rival.

David Junior Lopes earned a red card by stopping a shot with his hand, while David Beckham, who has been to Greece this week to take the Olympic flame back to his native England, came off the bench with 16 minutes remaining but could not alter the score.

Seattle Sounders twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps, with Eddie Johnson and Freddy Montero cancelling out goals from Alain Rochat and Camilo.

Gabriel Gomez scored after 56 minutes to rescue a point for Philadelphia Union with a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas, who had taken a first-half lead through Blas Perez.

Saer Sene scored twice as New England Revolution drew 2-2 with Houston Dynamo, who twice equalised through Will Bruin and Luiz Camargo.

Lewis Neal set up Dwayne De Rosario for the first after 25 minutes and Hamdi Salihi added a second on the hour, knocking in the rebound after Matt Pickens saved Branko Boskovic's header.

The win puts DC a point behind New York Red Bulls and level with Sporting Kansas City, though it has played more games than their rivals.

The Eastern Conference-leading visitor made light of the injury-enforced absence of top scorer Thierry Henry to take a 17th-minute lead through Joel Lindpere's left-footed strike, only for Philly's Lionard Pajoy to equalise 14 minutes later.

Union forward Freddy Adu was shown a second yellow card for diving in the penalty area two minutes before half-time, but the 10 men went ahead in the first minute of the second half when Pajoy grabbed his second goal of the match from a tight angle.

However, New York soon made its numerical advantage tell and got back on level terms midway through the second half through Marcus Holgersson before Kenny Cooper notched the winner 12 minutes from time.

Also on Sunday, substitute Alan Gordon headed home an 89th-minute equaliser to earn San Jose Earthquakes a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA after Colombian teenager Jose Correa had opened the scoring at Buck Shaw Stadium with a neat finish in the fourth minute.

The result saw San Jose end the weekend three points behind Western Conference leader Real Salt Lake, albeit with two games in hand.

Bobby Convey put Sporting ahead in the 31st minute but it all went wrong for the visitor after the interval.

It was pegged back by Sebastian Grazzini's penalty equaliser on the hour, had Roger Espinoza sent off for elbowing Grazzini soon after and then a late Dominic Oduro tap-in condemned it to defeat.

It was a similar story when Columbus Crew hosted FC Dallas.

Fabian Castillo's first-half goal put the away team in the ascendancy but it was reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute when Zach Lloyd was dismissed.

Two goals in six minutes from Crew substitute Justin Meram and Sebastian Miranda turned the game on its head for the host.

Western Conference-leading Real Salt Lake won 1-0 in Seattle, ending the six-game winning streak of Sounders.

Edgar Espindola netted the game's only goal with a left-footed volley six minutes into the second half.

A trademark David Beckham free-kick earned Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-1 draw at the Montreal Impact.

The former England midfielder curled a fine set-piece inside Donovan Ricketts' near post just after the hour to cancel out Montreal captain Davy Arnaud's eighth-minute opener in front of 60,860 fans - an MLS record for a match in Canada.

Houston Dynamo got off to the perfect start in the first game at its new BBVA Compass Stadium home by beating DC United 1-0, Brad Davis's curling left-footed effort from 35 yards proving decisive.

New England Revolution came from a goal down to trounce visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1.

Eric Hassli drew first blood after five minutes, but Lee Nguyen got the Revs back on level terms a minute later and further goals from Saer Sene (24) and Shalrie Joseph (33) put the host in control. Nguyen sealed the rout with his second of the match 18 minutes from time.

There was a mix of boos and cheers each time Beckham played the ball, even when he scored on one of his patented free kicks that curled inside the right post from 21 metres.

Beckham's second goal of the season came six minutes after he was shown the yellow card for an elbow to the face of Felipe Martins, which might have been embellished by the Brazilian.

Davy Arnaud had scored for Montreal in the second minute.

The 36-year-old Nesta, who has spent 10 years at Milan, will play his last game for the club at home against Novara on Sunday (Monday AEST).

"This was my last season with Milan," Nesta said Thursday at a news conference.

"I've evaluated everything and the high pace of the Italian league, the Champions League and the Italian Cup means that I can't play all the time. And I'm not one to sit and wait on the bench.

"I would very happily go to the United States, it would be a good experience. It wouldn't be bad to cross the ocean. But until I have signed, I'm not going to say anything. But there are not other good and important opportunities."

Nesta helped Milan to two Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies. The defender also won the World Cup with Italy in 2006.

He spent nine seasons with Lazio, and also won the league with the Rome club.

Milan director Umberto Gandini tweeted: "Nesta leaves AC Milan after 10 years of successful and brilliant service. What a person, what a player! Wishing him well in his next job!!"

Kenny Cooper netted the game's only goal in the seventh minute as New York made light of the injury-enforced absence of former France striker Thierry Henry and left Houston winless in its last five matches.

Elsewhere, Seattle Sounders was a 2-0 winner at FC Dallas thanks to a brace from substitute Freddy Montero.

The Colombian forward netted twice in four minutes midway through the second-half to lift Seattle to a fifth consecutive triumph.

Finally, Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake played out a goalless draw at Toyota Park.

Daniel Hernandez picked up a second yellow card for a late tackle after 34 minutes, then Blas Perez followed suit two minutes later with a straight red for a high challenge.

The nine men held out until the 61st minute, when Jaime Castrillon took advantage of the space to nod home from close range, then Martin Rivero was given too much time in the Dallas box to stroke home a second in the 74th minute.

The result leaves the Rapids fifth in the Western Conference, seven points behind leaders San Jose and three points ahead of Dallas.

Revolution opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Blake Brettschneider, but a brace from Alvaro Saborio in the 33rd and 55th minutes turned the match around for the visitor.

Real's Will Johnson was dismissed in the 59th minute, but nine minutes from the end Revolution's substitute Fernando Cardenas saw red.

It allowed Real to draw level with San Jose, who was defeated by Vancouver Whitecaps in the dying minutes of the match.

San Jose took the lead early after Chris Wondolowski's 15th-minute opener, but Gershon Koffie levelled five minutes before the break and substitute Eric Hassli stunned the Quakes in the dying moments.

Eastern Conference leader Sporting Kansas City's lead was cut to three points as it suffered its second defeat of the season, 2-0 at home to Montreal Impact.

Felipe Martins scored on the half hour mark, and Patrice Bernier made it 2-0 from the spot in the 63rd minute.

DC United has narrowed the gap with a 2-0 win at Toronto FC thanks to second-half goals from Chris Pontius and substitute Hamdi Salihi.

Joel Lindpere scored the only goal in the 19th minute as New York Red Bulls won 1-0 at Los Angeles Galaxy, while Mauro Rosales' 63rd-minute winner was enough for Seattle Sounders when it played Philadelphia Union.

Juan Pablo Angel put Chivas ahead from the spot in the 23rd minute, but Fire's Austin Berry atoned by scoring an equaliser two minutes later.

Pappa then fired home from outside the box in the third minute of extra time to seal the game for Chicago.

Dwayne De Rosario put DC ahead after eight minutes, but the Earthquakes stormed back through goals from Lenhart, Wondolowski and Justin Morrow to lead 3-1 at half-time.

Dan Woolard pulled one back in the 64th minute, but another goal apiece from Wondolowski and Lenhart killed off the game before Hamdi Salihi made it 5-3 two minutes from the end.

The result was also good news for Sporting Kansas City, who lead the Eastern Conference now by six points from DC with two games in hand.

Goals either side of half-time from Eddie Johnson and Freddy Montero gave Seattle Sounders a 2-0 win overLos Angeles Galaxy.

Saer Sene and Fernando Cardenas scored to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 comeback win over Colorado Rapids after Jaime Castrillon had put the visiting side ahead.

Henry was injured after scoring the only goal for New York in a 1-0 victory over New England last Saturday.

It was the ninth goal of the season for the 34-year-old striker, a former star at Arsenal and Barcelona.

The team announced that a scan taken on Monday showed the injury was not as bad as first feared and that Henry will miss no more than a month.

But the injury will sideline Henry for next Saturday's match at Los Angeles against English star midfielder David Beckham and the reigning Major League Soccer champion Galaxy.

Red Bulls are third in the MLS Eastern Conference.

The 34-year-old striker, who had scored his league-leading ninth goal of the season in the seventh minute, is expected to see the team doctor on Tuesday, with an announcement on his prognosis on Wednesday.

"They said it's about a month, this kind of hamstring," Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said. "But it sounds it a little bit too long,"

Regardless of how long the 34-year-old Henry is sidelined, Red Bulls will miss its team captain and best player.

"His injury of course is a disaster for us," Backe said. "With his leadership, every training session, the way he puts pressure on his teammates to perform at every training session. It's a huge loss for us for us, both on and off the pitch."

The injury seemingly came out of nowhere. With Mehdi Ballouchy leading a break on the left flank, Henry was racing down the middle anticipating a pass.

But some 30 metres from the goal, Henry's leg buckled and he slid to the ground in pain before being helped from the pitch.

Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty called it "an injury to the clear MVP of the league so far this year. It's tough. It's tough on our morale.

"You see it out there every day," McCarty said of Henry's value to the club. "He's an outlet for us. I don't think he has an equal in this league - a tremendous amount of talent, speed, skill. His goal-scoring ability is incredible. It's a big loss."

Henry is off to his best start since joining Red Bulls after a free transfer from Barcelona in 2010.

He became the first player in MLS history to be named player of the week three straight weeks and was player of the month in March.

A 90th minute goal from Pat Noonan earned Galaxy a draw after Brek Shea's 61st-minute penalty had threatened to win the contest for the visitor.

Thierry Henry's seventh minute goal gave New York Red Bulls a 1-0 victory over New England Revolution, while Lee Young-Pyo's 74th minute effort earned Vancouver Whitecaps a win at Columbus Crew.

Chivas USA was no match for Colorado Rapids, who won 4-0 with goals from substitute Kamani Hill (2), Tony Cascio and Jeff Larentowitcz, with three hitting the back of the net in the last eight minutes.

Substitute Steven Lenhart's second goal of the night, in the final minute, gave San Jose Earthquakes a 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union, which moves it to the top of the Western Conference. Gabriel Gomez netted for the host seven minutes from time.

Real Salt Lake stays second with a late goal of its own, substitute Jonny Steele's 90th-minute effort giving it a 3-2 win over Toronto. Eric Avila and Doneil Henry had twice equalised for Toronto, after it had fallen behind to a Kyle Beckerman effort and a Richard Eckersley own goal.

Seattle Sounders, with games in hand, continue to impress. David Estrada and Eddie Johnson got the goals which gave them a 2-1 win at the Chicago Fire, whose consolation goal was an 89th minute effort from sub Marco Pappa.

DC United moves second in the Eastern Conference, six points behind runaway leader Sporting Kansas City, with a 3-2 win over the Houston Dynamo. Maicon Santos scored twice and Chris Pontius hit the back of the net once, with Will Bruin twice bringing Dynamo level in the second half.

Goals inside the last 14 minutes from Bernardo Corradi and Sinisa Ubiparipovic gave Montreal Impact a 2-0 win over the struggling Portland Timbers.

Substitute Emiliano Bonfigli netted within three minutes of his 69th-minute introduction to earn Real a draw with FC Dallas, which led through Brek Shea's penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Real has played two games more than leader San Jose, while Dallas is five points back in fourth.

The match will take place at the 47,000-capacity Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team.

Liverpool has already lined up friendlies against Roma on 25 July, at the home of the Boston Red Sox - which shares the same owners in Fenway Sports Group - and Tottenham Hotspur in Baltimore on 28 July.

United was 3-0 up and out of sight by half-time as Pontius struck after eight and 32 minutes before Nick DeLeon got in on the act with 36 minutes played.

Pontius then completed his treble on 69 minute before star Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry grabbed a consolation goal moments later.

Defeat for the Red Bulls, who were without suspended former Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez, ended a five-game unbeaten run.

After winning its opening seven fixtures, the Eastern Conference leader was undone by a Chance Myers own goal on 41 minutes.

San Jose Earthquakes moved ahead of Real Salt Lake at the top of the Western Conference with a 3-1 win over its nine-man rival.

Despite the two-man advantage the Earthquakes only sealed the win in injury-time thanks to goals from Simon Dawkins and Chris Wondolowski.

Real had Edgar Espindola dismissed on 29 minutes and while the Earthquakes forged ahead through Khari Stephenson (45) the visitor levelled thanks to Kyle Beckerman (53).

Real's task got harder though when Jamilson Olave was also red-carded on 69 minutes.

The Canadian side slumped to its sixth successive defeat despite leading 2-1 just before half-time.

Reggie Lambe struck twice on 37 and 40 minutes to fire Toronto ahead after Dominic Oduro's first-minute opener.

But it held onto the advantage for just a minute as Gonzalo Segares immediately levelled before Patrick Nyarko inflicted yet another defeat with 58 minutes gone.

Victory for Fire moved it up to fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Aurelien Collin's 24th-minute openers was followed by a Martin Bonjour own goal and Kei Kamara's strike after half-time to ensure a seventh straight win to start the season.

Sporting conceded for just the second time during their impressive start when Sebastien Le Toux grabbed an 80th-minute consolation.

DC United remained third in the Eastern Conference, already 12 points adrift of Sporting, as it was held to a 1-1 draw at home to the Montreal Impact.

Maicon Santos grabbed an equaliser for the host four minutes after Bernado Corradi's 69th-minute opener.

Aurelien Collin scored the only goal after 63 minutes to help Sporting extend its lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to eight points ahead of the New York Red Bulls.

Real stayed top of the Western Conference, two points ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes, who drew 2-2 at New York, with all the goals scored in the first half.

Twice the Red Bulls led, through Kenny Cooper and Dax McCarty, but Rafael Baca and Chris Wondolowski got the equalisers for the Earthquakes.

David Beckham was on target as the Los Angeles Galaxy lifted itself off the bottom of the West with its second win of the season, 3-1 over the Portland Timbers.

The Timbers took the lead through Kris Boyd, but Landon Donovan levelled just before half-time before Juninho and Beckham turned the game in the Galaxy's favour late on.

DC United came from a goal down to win 2-1 at the New England Revolution.

Maicon and Chris Pontius scored for DC, cancelling out Jose Moreno's opener for the Revolution.

FC Dallas beat the Montreal Impact in similar fashion, Blas Perez and Brek Shea securing a 2-1 win after Bernardo Corradi had opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the Impact.

Gabriel Gomez scored the only goal from the spot as the Philadelphia Union beat the Columbus Crew 1-0, while the Seattle Sounders saw off the Colorado Rapids by the same scoreline thanks to Zach Scott's strike and Oswaldo Minda's effort gave Chivas USA a 1-0 win at Toronto FC.

The match comes six years after a select side of MLS stars shocked Chelsea 1-0 in the 2006 All-Star game at Chicago.

This time around, the match will be held at PPL Park, home of Philadelphia Union.

It will be the second stop on Chelsea's US visit, after the announcement last month that it will play the Sounders in Seattle on 18 July.

The MLS All-Stars will be coached by Peter Nowak, current coach of Union. Nowak was at the helm when Dwayne De Rosario's goal gave MLS the victory over Chelsea in 2006.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said the English club was excited to have a chance at a rematch.

Chelsea has played in Philadelphia before, taking on AC Milan there in 2004.

Kei Kamara got the goal after 41 minutes.

New York Red Bulls thrashed Columbus Crew 4-1 to go second in the Eastern Conference, although it is already six points adrift of Kansas City.

Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry each had a brace, Henry's goals coming either side of a late consolation for Crew from Chad Marshall.

Real Salt Lake sits top of the Western Conference with 15 points from six matches after beating Colorado Rapids 2-0.

Alvaro Saborio put it ahead after 20 minutes and Edgar Espindola's 57th minute strike wrapped up the points.

San Jose Earthquakes is three points behind with a game in hand after topping Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1.

It trailed to Sebastian Le Toux's 49th minute opener, but Chris Wondolowski's 68th minute equaliser was the first of three San Jose goals inside 10 minutes as Alan Gordon and Wondolowski again turned it around.

Montreal Impact beat Canadian rival Toronto FC 2-1 as Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Andrew Wenger put it on top before Danny Koevermans late consolation for the visitor.

Chivas USA came from behind to top Portland Timbers in Oregon, with Alejandro Moreno cancelling out Kris Boyd's early opener before Nick LaBrocca won it with eight minutes left.

DC United and Seattle Sounders shared in a goalless draw.

The big defender got up to head a free-kick back across the face of goal with time all but up.

Dallas thought it had scored the opening in the 77th minute when Matt Hedges headed in from a corner, but an assistant referee signalled the cross had curled out of play.

Dallas' second win of the season powers it away from the foot of the Western Conference into fifth place, the same position New England occupies in the East.

Paulo Junior got the goal from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, but only after Justin Braun was harshly penalised for handling in the area when struck on the arm from close range.

The win sees Real pull three points clear in the West, although both San Jose and Colorado behind it have played a game less.

Montreal, meanwhile remains one place off the foot of the Eastern Conference with only one point to show for its five matches so far.

CJ Sapong scored the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half as Kansas stretched its lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to six points.

Elsewhere, second-half goals from Omar Cummings and Kamani Hill gave Colorado Rapids a 2-0 win over Chicago Fire.

The former Arsenal striker got his first in the 28th minute to cancel out Sanna Nyassi's opener, but Justin Mapp restored Montreal's lead in the 38th minute.

Kenny Cooper scored a penalty on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-2 before the Red Bulls ran away with it in the second half.

Henry scored again in the 56th minute and Mehdi Ballouchy added a fourth in the 72nd minute, just three minutes after coming on.

Henry completed his hat-trick a minute from time.

Real Salt Lake scored twice in the last two minutes to win 3-2 at Portland Timbers and go top of the Western Conference.

Alvaro Saborio put the visitors in front with a 38th-minute penalty, but Darlington Nagbe's brace after the break had Portland in front.

Substitute Jonny Steele brought Real level in the 89th minute and Kyle Beckerman's goal won it at the death.

San Jose Earthquakes moved level on points with Real with a 1-0 win at Seattle Sounders.

Chris Wondolowski scored the only goal of the game with a penalty in the 24th minute.

Los Angeles Galaxy lost 3-1 at home to New England Revolution.

Early goals from Kelyn Rowe and Chris Tierney put the visitors in control and Saer Sene added a third midway through the second half.

Robbie Keane pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time, but it was too little too late.

Bernardo Anor's second-half goals earned Columbus Crew a 1-0 lead at Toronto FC.

The match between Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps ended goalless.

Santos, released by Dallas in the off season, opened the scoring in the 28th minute but Blas Perez levelled four minutes before the break.

Nick DeLeon re-established the lead on the hour mark before Danny Cruz stretched the lead six minutes later and Santos grabbed his second in the 73rd minute.

A miserable day for Dallas was complete four minutes later when Daniel Hernandez was shown the red card.

After two away defeats, New York put on a show in its opening home game of the campaign as it plundered two goals in the first six minutes against an opponent which had won its first pair of games.

Henry opened the scoring after three minutes before laying on a pass for Kenny Cooper who struck the second.

Former Arsenal striker Henry stretched New York's lead in the 54th minute, and although Colorado pulled a goal back 13 minutes from the end with a curling strike from Omar Cummings, the host had the final say in the 89th minute as Cooper tapped in.

Kei Kamara tucked in a late winner as Sporting Kansas City came from behind to beat FC Dallas 2-1.

That atoned for his earlier penalty miss and gave home side Kansas two wins from two outings this season.

Ricardo Villar swept a free-kick past static Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen to put Dallas ahead after 25 minutes, but Aurelien Collin levelled just before half-time for the home side with a header from eight yards.

Kamara should have put Sporting ahead in the 50th minute but Kevin Hartman made a fine save from his low penalty which was heading for the bottom left corner.

It did not prove crucial as Kamara had the final say in the 88th minute, prodding past Hartman at the goalkeeper's near post after a cross from the right.

After a pair of victories, Real Salt Lake was expected to be too strong for a side who slid to 1-0 defeats in each of its opening two games.

But Townsend prodded the only goal of the game after 72 minutes to earn the visitor its maiden win at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Columbus Crew was a 2-0 home winner against Montreal Impact, who had Jeb Brovsky sent off in the 19th minute and fell behind to a penalty from Milovan Mirosevic 11 minutes later.

Olman Vargas scored a fine second goal, a powerful header into the bottom corner in the 66th minute.

Former Bayern Munich reserve Saer Sene scored his first Major League Soccer goal in the first minute of New England Revolution's clash with Portland Timbers.

His header earned a 1-0 win as Portland missed a series of chances to level, with former Scotland striker Kris Boyd wasteful.

Chicago Fire beat Philadelphia Union, who is without a point from three games, thanks to Dominic Oduro's headed goal in the 28th minute.

Chris Wondolowski scored twice for San Jose Earthquakes in its 3-0 win away to Toronto FC, netting in the ninth and 68th minutes, with Shea Salinas finishing well for the second goal of the game in the 56th minute.

It was all square in Vancouver where DC United picked up in first point of the season in a goalless draw with the Whitecaps.

Montreal had Jeb Brovsky sent off after 19 minutes and Columbus took full advantage, with Milovan Mirosevic (penalty) and Olman Vargas scoring either side of half-time.

Also off the mark in the East is New England Revolution, which got the better of Portland Timbers 1-0 thanks to Saer Sene's first-minute goal.

In the West, Seattle saw off Houston 2-0 with David Estrada and Brad Evans (penalty) on target.

Toronto was beaten 3-0 at home by San Jose.

The Earthquakes were unstoppable with Chris Wondolowski scoring twice and Sael Salinas also on target.

David Estrada was credited with the home team's opening goal after 23 minutes when he drilled a low 25-yard shot that took a big deflection off defender Geoff Cameron on its way past Tally Hall.

Cameron then impeded Patrick Ianni when the home defender attempted to reach a corner, and a penalty was awarded.

Brad Evans made no mistake from the spot, firing a firm low shot into the right corner for the 27th-minute second goal.

Defeat ended Houston's unbeaten start to the season, after two wins, and gave Seattle two wins from two at the outset of their campaign.

"July 16 (the day the MLS teams can sign players from abroad) is around the corner," Michael Becker said.

"I'm sure you'll see Michael playing somewhere in MLS (Major League Soccer) at that stage."

Ballack, 35, had wanted to play for the Red Bulls, but the team's general manager Erik Soler was more interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland, Becker said.

"Why would you go for a no-name player who no one knows, who hasn't started in months, when Michael Ballack is available?" asked Becker, calling Soler 'clueless'.

Ballack's relationship with Bayer Leverkusen, where his two-year contract is due to come to an end in June, has been tense of late. The footballer has been plagued by injuries and benched by coach Robin Dutt on several occasions.

Managing director Wolfgang Holzhaeuser recently declared the 'project Ballack' a failure.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker scored on the stroke of half-time, then again in the 69th minute, before substitute Marcelo Sarvas added a third four minutes from the end.

Nick DeLeon pulled one back for United a minute later.

Colorado Rapids made it two wins out of two by beating Philadelphia Union 2-1 despite being down to 10 men.

Jaime Castrillon opened the scoring in the 56th minute for the Rapids, but they had Jeff Larentowitcz sent off two minutes later.

Despite that blow, Tony Cascio made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, before Lionard Pajoy pulled one back five minutes later for the host.

New England was left with an uphill task when Stephen McCarthy was sent off after 15 minutes, and it fell behind 13 minutes later through Graham Zusi.

Kei Kamara doubled Kansas' lead in the 39th minute and CJ Sapong rounded off the scoring two minutes into the second half.

It put Kansas City top of the Eastern Conference, level on points with Houston Dynamo who won 1-0 at San Jose Earthquakes after a penalty from Brad Davis in the 14th minute.

In the West, Real Salt Lake maintained its stellar start with a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls, with goals from Edgar Espindola and Paulo Junior.

While a 68th minute goal saw Vancouver Whitecaps take the three points at Chivas USA.

David Estrada scored a hat-trick as Seattle Sounders claimed a 3-1 win over Toronto FC in its first match of the season, while both matches between FC Dallas and Portland Timbers, as well as Montreal Impact and Chicago Fire ended in a 1-1 draw.

Gabriel Gomez broke the deadlock for Union after 51 minutes but Andrew Baptiste dragged the host level three minutes later.

Boyd then put Timbers ahead with a near-post header in the 66th minute before Khalif Alhassan padded the lead 10 minutes later.

Zach Lloyd opened the scoring with a neat left-footed finish in the 11th minute and Ricardo Villar doubled the host's advantage just after the hour at FC Dallas Stadium.

Substitute Kenny Cooper halved the deficit 12 minutes from time with his first goal for New York, from Thierry Henry's assist, but there was no way back for the Red Bulls.

Elsewhere, Andre Hainault's last-gasp strike earned Houston Dynamo a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center.

Hainault lashed home the game's only goal two minutes into stoppage-time to snap the Dynamo's five-game winless streak on the opening weekend of the season.

Galaxy fielded a strong line-up and took the lead early in the second half, David Beckham's superb pass setting up Edson Buddle to head home the breakthrough goal in the 71st minute.

But Sean Franklin's own goal levelled things up moments later and then Javier Morales and Fabian Espindola completed the turnaround for Salt Lake, which lost to Los Angeles in last season's Western Conference final.

Elsewhere, a goal at the start of each half from Sebastien Le Toux and Camilo da Silva saw Vancouver Whitecaps spoil Montreal Impact's MLS debut by winning 2-0 at BC Place.

Chris Wondolowski's 15th-minute strike edged San Jose Earthquakes past New England Revolution 1-0, while substitute CJ Sapong netted a last-gasp winner as Sporting Kansas City triumphed 1-0 at DC United.

Finally, a goal in each half from Drew Moor and substitute Quincy Amarikwa earned Colorado Rapids a 2-0 success against Columbus Crew.

"His contract runs until June 30 but if he wants to leave before then, we can certainly talk about it," Holzhaeuser was quoted as saying on Friday by the German magazine, Focus.

Holzhaeuser, however, ruled out the idea of a farewell match because of Ballack's intention to pursue his career elsewhere.

Ballack recently expressed his desire to play at Leverkusen until the end of his contact out of loyalty to the club's fans.

Rumours have been circulating for several weeks about a possible transfer to the United States, where New York Red Bulls are said to be interested.

The former Chelsea player has been relegated to the substitutes' bench and sat out the German side's 3-1 UEFA Champions League defeat by Barcelona on Tuesday with a calf injury that will keep him on the sidelines for two more weeks.

Keane has made a big impression at Villa, scoring three goals in two league starts, and Villa was hoping he could remain with them for a further week.

But Galaxy wants Keane to return after playing at the DW Stadium to prepare for the new Major Soccer League season which starts on March 10.

Keane will feature in Sunday's (Monday AEDT) English Premier League meeting with Manchester City but Villa's FA Cup exit means he will have a two-week wait before his final appearance against the Latics.

Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson announced the move on Monday, with the deal subject to Boyd obtaining a visa and passing a medical.

No financial details were released.

The 28-year-old Boyd scored 164 goals in a total of 296 appearances in the SPL with Kilmarnock and Rangers.

He was the league's top scorer for four seasons in his SPL career.

The 36-year-old former England captain said his serious suitors included "one or two" English Premiership clubs, although he declined to name them, as well as Paris St Germain - the French club touted in December as the front-runner to land him.

"It was fun watching it, to be honest," Beckham said on Thursday at Staples Centre arena, where the media assembled for his welcome-back press conference showed his continued drawing power.

"Everyone else was talking about it. I always said at the end of last season that there was a good possibility that I was coming back."

The player who won six English Premier League titles with Manchester United was pressed on just which English clubs made offers.

"One or two," he repeated. "It was one or two."

Beckham helped Galaxy capture the MLS Cup league title in November, shortly before his ground-breaking five-year MLS contract expired.

In December, it was reported in France that Paris St Germain had signed him - and that his wife, Victoria, had been scouting schools in the French capital for their four children.

Not true, Beckham said, noting that his wife, a pop star turned fashion designer, often visited Paris for her own work.

Beckham said he and his wife made the final decision to return to Los Angeles over a glass of wine at their London home on New Year's Eve.

He said he needed a few weeks after the emotion of lifting the MLS Cup to consider his options.

"I just needed a break," Beckham said.

"I needed to get away, to rest my body and then to decide what I felt was the right move."

Beckham, who signed a two-year deal to remain with Galaxy, said he considered leaving the MLS on a high note, and even retirement, although he later said that wasn't really a serious option.

"To be honest, retirement was never a part of my plans," the 36-year-old said.

"It had been talked about by other people, but it always is when you get to this stage of your career."

Beckham has nothing to prove in the MLS, but that doesn't mean the English football icon can't see plenty of work to do now that he has opted to return to Los Angeles.

"It's not unfinished business - it's just doing it over again," said Beckham.

"I've never come back after a season with the Galaxy and been a champion.

"I wanted to have that feeling. We're not finished. I'm not just happy with one championship, I want more."

Beckham, who will turn 37 in May, accepted a two-year deal from Galaxy that has been reported to be worth $15 million.

The former England captain's five-year contract with the Major League Soccer side expired last month and he had been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain among other clubs.

However, the 36-year-old has now signed a new two-year deal with Galaxy, with whom he won the 2011 MLS Cup.

And he insists he feels there is still more to achieve in America as he enters the final chapter of his career.

"It was a decision that I didn't take lightly," he said on a YouTube and Google+ webchat. "I had other offers and at 36 you don't expect to get these.

"The future of the game is in the US and where my family is happiest. I love living in the LA, I love living in America.

"For me, soccer's the number one sport around the world, apart from America. I want to get soccer to another level in the US. I've felt a change in the last two years and don't want to walk away from it - I want to continue to be a part of that growth."

The 36-year-old's five-year contract expired last month and he had been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Beckham has now re-signed with the club with which he won the 2011 MLS Cup.

"This was an important decision for me," Beckham said on the club's website.

"I had many offers from clubs from around the world, however, I'm still passionate about playing in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy.

"I've seen first hand how popular soccer is now in the States and I'm as committed as ever to growing the game here.

"My family and I are incredibly happy and settled in America and we look forward to spending many more years here."

Galaxy general manager and head coach Bruce Arena said: "I am thrilled that David has chosen to re-join the Galaxy, especially as he had numerous options where he could continue his career.

"I felt that he was one of the best players in all of MLS last season and we could not have achieved the success that we did without him.

"We look forward to trying to replicate that success this season with David once again in a Galaxy uniform."

Beckham's business manager Simon Fuller added: "When David and I discussed making the move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy back in 2007, our minds were firmly focused on the massive opportunity of helping to grow soccer in the United States.

"We have made great progress over the past five years in raising the profile of soccer domestically and the MLS on a worldwide stage, and we are encouraged by all the results.

"However, clearly this is an ongoing mission and this new deal confirms our commitment to continuing our journey and making sure the world's biggest sport, soccer, continues to grow in the world's most passionate sports loving nation, the USA."

LA Galaxy starts its pre-season campaign next week and returns to competitive action on 7 March when it travels to face Toronto FC in the first leg of its 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final.

Its first game of the 2012 MLS season is on Saturday, 10 March at home to Real Salt Lake.

The Republic of Ireland international is poised to join Villa for two months and is already training with the midlands club.

But the eight-hour time difference between Birmingham and Los Angeles means any announcement will probably happen on Wednesday after the expected completion of the paperwork.

Villa boss Alex McLeish would like Keane to be available for this weekend's home Premier League clash with Everton.

Sources close to the club are confident a temporary deal for Keane will still go through.

Keane has indicated he wants to join Villa and is conscious of retaining his match sharpness before rejoining Galaxy in March with the EURO 2012 finals in June.

Villa midfielder Barry Bannan would welcome Keane's arrival.

He said: "If you are getting players like that, it is good for the club.

"Our squad is pretty young and having another wise head alongside the likes of Richard Dunne is only going to help us as a group.

"Robbie has been around for ages and has played at the top level."

Keane's expected arrival is well timed with fellow striker Emile Heskey sidelined for up to a month with an Achilles injury.

The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland striker was shown training with his future team-mates in a video on Villa's official website as he waits to complete his return to the Premier League on a short-term deal.

Villa boss Alex McLeish revealed after the club's FA Cup third-round victory over Bristol Rovers he expected to soon wrap up the signing of the former Tottenham Hotspur man, with only red tape holding up the deal.

Keane is expected to join on a two-month loan deal during the MLS off-season.

If the paperwork is completed in time Keane could make his debut against Everton this weekend, where he will come up against his Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan, who is on loan at Goodison Park.

Press Association Sport understands Villa has held what was described by sources close to the club as "productive talks" with the Republic of Ireland international.

Keane is set to link up with Villa for a two-month period in a $750,000 deal before returning to Galaxy for the start of the Major Soccer League campaign in March.

If all goes to plan, Keane could face his Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan, who has returned to Everton for a second loan spell, on his Villa debut.

Then Villa manager John Gregory tried to sign Keane 12 years ago from Wolves but the midlands club would not meet the asking price and he moved instead to Coventry.

Keane is maintaining his fitness by training with his former club Tottenham.

But he is keen to retain his sharpness by playing during the MLS break ahead of this year's Euro 2012 finals.

Meanwhile, Villa has distanced itself from reports claiming it has held talks with Tottenham over a possible move for midfielder Niko Kranjcar.

In an interview with Swedish tabloid Expressen, Red Bulls coach Hasse Backe said the 26-year-old Holgersson recently decided to accept the offer, calling it a 'great recruitment' for the team.

Helsingborgs IF confirmed that the defender was leaving the Swedish club after declining to renew his contract that ended last week, but would not comment on his future.

Holgersson did not answer telephone calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

Helsingborg sports director Jesper Jansson says 'it's a shame we're losing him, but we respect his choice to move on'.

Tim Leiweke, chief executive of Galaxy's owner AEG, told the newspaper that there was still no deal in place for Beckham to stay with the club, although Galaxy wants to keep him.

"The stories were all over the front page of every newspaper in Europe that he was going to Paris," Leiweke told The Los Angeles Times.

"I told everyone I would not pay a lot of attention to that.

"And now that the stories are that he is going to the Galaxy, I would repeat the same advice: Premature.

"We have been talking with David about staying with the Galaxy for three months.

"I said back in November, I was confident David would stay here and I still am.

"Does it look more likely that is heading in that direction? Yes. Are we done? No."

The former England captain's Major League Soccer contract expired in December - a month after he helped the team claim the MLS Cup crown.

Paris Saint-Germain, the big-spending Qatar-backed French club, was the most prominent outfit courting Beckham.

But PSG sporting director Leonardo said in Doha on Tuesday that the club was no longer pursuing Beckham.

"He will not come to PSG," said the Brazilian, citing 'family reasons' for Beckham.

In numerous interviews in November, Beckham noted how much his family enjoyed living in Southern California.

However, Leiweke said there were other clubs still trying to lure Beckham.

"It's not just Paris. He's had other offers," Leiweke told The Los Angeles Times.

"Every one is greater and more expansive, bigger than anything we're talking about."

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that Beckham will not be moving to the French capital despite weeks of speculation that the former England captain was set to tie up a move to Ligue 1.

Beckham is understood to have been put off by the idea of uprooting his family from the United States and is now in negotiations over a two-year extension with Galaxy, which he joined in 2007.

Beckham has long been linked with a move back to Europe after it became clear that he wanted to move closer to England in order to boost his chances of making the Great Britain Olympic team.

It is understood that he has received assurances that he will be seriously considered for selection even if he remains in the MLS, however.

Between 15 and 20 clubs from across the globe have expressed an interest in signing the former Manchester United midfielder, including clubs from Asia, South America and the Premier League.

The 36-year-old enjoyed his best season in the MLS last year, with Galaxy beating Houston Dynamo in November to win the MLS Cup, and that is thought to be one of the major factors which has persuaded him to want to stay in the States.

It is also understood that Beckham has been encouraged by Galaxy's recent signing of former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane.

It is thought the deal Galaxy has offered Beckham is similar to the previous contract he signed, with part of his basic wage being boosted by any increase in revenue that comes from merchandise sales.

PSG, which has substantial funds at its disposal after being taken over by Qatari Sports Investments in May, could not hide its disappointment at seeing a deal for arguably the most famous footballer on the planet fall through.

"It's over," the club's sporting director Leonardo was quoted as saying on www.lequipe.fr. "It's a shame.

"But the welfare of his family in Los Angeles, the wish not to change everything in his life, weighed heavily."

He won one Primera Division title and then joined Galaxy on a bumper pay deal that saw him become easily the highest paid player in the country.

Beckham spent two winters on loan at AC Milan during his original five-year deal at Galaxy, which expired last week, and has also had training spells at Arsenal and Tottenham during the MLS off season.

The midlands club has discussed the possibility of signing Keane in a move similar to the one which has seen his Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan rejoin Everton.

Villa boss Alex McLeish has admitted he has limited funds to spend during the January transfer window.

But he is a long-term fan of the Republic of Ireland international and last season came close to signing him when Birmingham manager in a £6 million ($10.5million) deal with Tottenham.

The two clubs agreed a fee but personal terms proved a stumbling block and Keane joined West Ham on loan before making the switch to the United States during last northern summer.

Villa also came close to signing Keane, 31, when he left Wolves 12 years ago but could not agree a fee and he joined Coventry.

If Keane came to Villa, he would link up with Ireland team-mates Shay Given and Richard Dunne.

It is believed Keane wants to stay sharp for the Euro 2012 finals by continuing to play before the Major Soccer League season begins in March.

But terms with Keane and Galaxy have yet to be finalised.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday that the former France captain will sign for the team in a two-month loan deal once an insurance agreement is reached with the New York Red Bulls, Henry's club in Major League Soccer.

Wenger is turning to Henry, who scored a club-record 226 goals in eight years at Arsenal between 1999-2007, to fill the gap in his strikeforce left by the impending departure of Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh to the African Cup of Nations next month.

"To cover for two months is ideal," Wenger said.

"He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch."

Henry, who has been training with Arsenal during the MLS offseason, established himself as a club legend in his first stint before moving to Spanish giant Barcelona.

On December 9, Henry was moved to tears when Arsenal unveiled statues of himself, former captain Tony Adams and ex-manager Herbert Chapman to celebrate the club's 125th-year anniversary.

Henry's legacy could be enhanced further if he can inspire Wenger's side in a crucial period of matches before he returns to the United States in March.

The Frenchman could feature in seven league games, including a home match against Manchester United on January 22, and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 match against AC Milan.

"I know it can only be positive," said Wenger, who converted Henry from a skinny winger to a muscly striker after signing him from Italian team Juventus in 1999.

"He has exceptional talent - he is a very intelligent man and has a desire to help the club. But it is difficult to measure how positive an influence he is."

Henry's debut is likely to come against second-tier side Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup on January 9, although there is an outside chance he could play a part in the league match at Fulham on Monday.

Arsenal fans will not witness the Henry of old, who terrorised English defences with his pace, touch and power to help Arsenal to two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

He was voted Arsenal's greatest player in a poll on the club's official website in 2008.

Nudged out to the periphery in the last of his three seasons at Barcelona, where he was often shunted out of position to the left wing, Henry has spent the past year in the more relaxed environs of the MLS.

In his seasons with the Red Bulls, he scored 16 goals in 37 matches but couldn't help the team past Los Angeles Galaxy in the conference semi-finals in this year's MLS playoffs.

His haul of 14 regular-season goals saw him finish third in the league's scoring charts in 2011.

Wenger is relying on Henry's intelligence to see him through.

"You and I are conscious that he is 34 years old but he has not lost his class or his brain," Wenger said. "That will be just enough for us."

Henry is likely to be the understudy to Robin van Persie, who has taken over the Frenchman's mantle as Arsenal's talismanic attacker and scored 16 league goals this season.

In 2011, Van Persie has scored 34 times in the league and needs two goals against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday to equal the Premier League record in a calendar year, set by Alan Shearer in 1995.

Arsenal's other option up-front is South Korea captain Park Ju-young, who has struggled for first-team chances since his move from Monaco in the offseason.

Russia captain Andrey Arshavin, barely used by Wenger this season, and England winger Theo Walcott can also act as makeshift strikers but are more accustomed to playing out wide.

"It's fantastic for them," said Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, whose side could come up against Henry if he is still at Arsenal for the north London derby on February 26.

"He is one of the great players in the history of the Premier League.

"It's important to have people like that around your club and in the dressing room. They're good on the pitch and off it too."

Renowned for his expertise at bringing youth prospects through to the first team, it won't be the first time Wenger has turned to a former star to help Arsenal on a short-term basis.

In March, former Germany international Jens Lehmann - like Henry, one of Arsenal's "Invincibles" who helped the team go through the 2003-04 league season unbeaten - was signed to help solve a goalkeeping shortage.

Defender Sol Campbell rejoined the club in January 2010 and made 11 appearances until the end of the season.

Adu, who plays for the Philadelphia Union in the North American league, will train with Rayo for 12 days starting Friday.

"This is the first step, that he comes and trains and gets to know us and the club, and we get to know him," Rayo sporting director Felipe Minambres told The Associated Press on Thursday. "He'll come and train and we'll see how he gets on and then we'll make a decision of whether or not he stays.

"The best thing is that he comes and trains, feels relaxed and enjoys it. That's the only thing we want."

Adu, who has played for the United States national team, confirmed his trip to Spain through his Twitter account.

The 22-year-old Adu previously played for European clubs Benfica, Monaco, Aris and Cauykur Rizespor of Turkey.

Adu wouldn't be the first American player to sign with Rayo. Former U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller previously played for the top flight club for two seasons from 1999-2001.

The 29-year-old Donovan would be eligible to play in the Premier League club's game against Bolton Wanderers on January 4, with the loan lasting until after the Merseyside derby at Anfield on February 25.

After a slow start to the season, Everton is sitting 12th in the standings and has scored just 15 goals in 14 league matches. Australia international Tim Cahill remains in a goal drought for the club stretching back to last December.

Donovan scored two goals in 13 matches during a loan to Everton from January to March in 2010.

Everton manager David Moyes said: "I am delighted that we have managed to get Landon back. He will give us some good experience over January and February.

"He did well for us when he was over two years ago and hopefully will return with those same qualities."

Donovan told evertonfc.com: "The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Everton in 2010 and I'm hopeful that we can experience similar success this time around."

The Sounders announced the extension but did not release terms of the new deal.

Rosales was an overwhelming choice as the MLS newcomer of the year in 2011 with a season punctuated by five goals.

Rosales, 30, previously played for River Plate before signing with Seattle.

But speculation over his next playing destination after his Australian sojourn with LA Galaxy is heating up, with a French newspaper saying his keenest suitor Paris Saint-Germain has found a suitable school for his children.

Beckham flew out of Melbourne on Wednesday after what is expected to be the last match of his American adventure - Galaxy's penalty shootout win over Melbourne Victory in an exhibition game.

He is considering a return to Europe to take up a huge offer from Paris Saint-Germain - now controlled by the Qatar royal family.

French newspaper Le Parisien claims PSG has identified the British School of Paris as an ideal place for 12-year-old Brooklyn, nine-year-old Romeo and six-year-old Cruz to study.

Le Parisien also claims that PSG has acquired two luxury properties for the Beckhams - a townhouse in the city centre and a villa in the Yvelines region west of Paris.

Beckham has virtually ruled out any move back to England to play, saying a return to the Premier League is unlikely.

While the 36-year-old admits there are Premier League offers, he says going back to England would always be complicated by his love for and long association with Manchester United.

But next year's Olympic football tournament could provide the opportunity to make a brief return to playing in England and bring full circle a career which started as a boy growing up in east London - where the Games will be held.

"I'm a Man United fan through and through and it would always be difficult for me to go back and play in the Premiership for any other team except for Manchester United," Beckham said.

"I'm a Leytonstone boy, the east end of London is where I grew up, and the Olympics would be something I'd love to be part of that.

"To represent my country in the part of London where I grew up would be pretty special.

"My grandad played on Hackney Marshes, my dad played on Hackney Marshes. So it would be special."

Beckham said Christmas shopping in England was top of his post-season agenda following the completion of his Galaxy contract, with a decision on his new club likely to wait until the New Year.

He turned back the clock during Tuesday night's match at Etihad Stadium with an audacious lob from inside his own half on 13 minutes which just missed - reminiscent of the 1996 goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon from similar range which launched him to stardom.

Beckham also won one of two penalties for his side in a match tied 2-2 after normal time.

The match eventually went to a penalty shootout, which Galaxy won 4-3 as Victory duo Paulo Retre and Marco Rojas missed their spot-kicks.

Victory was without its drawcard Harry Kewell, who was pulled out of the match by coach Mehmet Durakovic to rest him for an important A-League clash with Adelaide United on Saturday night.

Billed as a clash between two of the sexiest men in world football in Melbourne on Tuesday night, only David Beckham was there.

Harry Kewell wasn't, as Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy beat Melbourne Victory 4-3 on penalties after the scores were locked at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes in their much-hyped exhibition match.

The notoriously injury-prone Kewell confirmed he was fit for the Etihad Stadium match but was being rested for Victory's crucial A-League game against Adelaide United this weekend.

Kewell's wife Sheree Murphy summed up the feelings of most female fans present - and there were plenty among the 34,000-plus crowd.

She tweeted: "Don't know who is more gutted, me or him."

Kewell was diplomatic about his omission, though he confirmed Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic had pulled the rug on him squaring up against old English Premier League rival Beckham.

"We have an important game on the weekend, and the manager's told me I can't play," Kewell said.

"I'm 100 per cent fit, I trained today, and I wanted to be out there."

But Beckham, who floats across football, fashion and fame with the airiness of one of his famous right-foot crosses, had his every move cheered until he was substituted three minutes from the end.

For the football aficionados, the 36-year-old ex-England skipper turned back the clock.

Beckham's audacious lob from inside his own half on 13 minutes which just missed was reminiscent of the 1996 goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon from similar range which launched him to stardom.

He also won one of two penalties for his side in normal time - bodychecked by Victory defender Petar Franjic to earn the spot-kick for Robbie Keane and surely YouTube infamy for the Melbourne centre-back.

Typical of an exhibition match, both teams dominated one half each.

Victory was excellent in the first 45 minutes and led 2-0 after 37 minutes with goals to Carlos Hernandez and Isaka Cernak.

But after Galaxy were gifted a dubious penalty for handball just before halftime which Keane converted to make it 2-1 at the break, the visitor lifted markedly in the second term.

Keane's second penalty squared things up at 2-2.

Then Galaxy took advantage of a Victory side which made several substitutions to push hard for a winner which never came in normal time.

Beckham, who almost certainly has played his last match on his US adventure as he weighs up a return to Europe, admitted he had been battling a hamstring injury on tour.

"The reception and welcome we've had here has been pretty incredible," said Beckham, who swapped shirts with his ex-Manchester United teammate Grant Brebner after the match.

The ex-PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund left-back had a number of offers from various countries but arrived in Canada on Sunday to sign a one-year contract for the club, starting in January, with the option of extending for one year.

"I've been impressed with the professional of the club and how it is run," Lee told reporters in Korea. "From next year, I will do my best to help my new team get some good results."

Lee, 34, left Saudi Arabian giant Al Hilal in the northern summer and was considering whether to retire or head overseas again.

The versatile player, who is comfortable on either side of defence or midfield, played 127 times for his country during which he appeared at three World Cups before retiring from the international game after January's 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Keane took a short pass from Adam Cristman inside the area and slotted a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the net in the 14th minute for what proved to be the winner.

Galaxy also hit the post and crossbar in the first half, but couldn't extend its lead.

David Beckham and Landon Donovan both started for Galaxy in front of about 30,000 spectators at Jakarta's 80,000-seat Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Galaxy will next play the Philippines national team in Manila on 3 December, and A-League club Melbourne Victory three days later.

His agent Patrick McCabe said, though, a potential January move for 24-year-old Ream would have to be right for the player.

McCabe told the Wolverhampton Express and Star: "Both clubs (Albion and Bolton) have admired Tim for some time and it affords both parties a chance to see each other up close.

"Roy Hodgson and Owen Coyle are top managers and, above all, this will be a good opportunity for Tim's professional development.

"But Red Bull has maintained that Tim is an important piece of the club for next season.

"Tim certainly is interested in moving to Europe but, at the right time and under the right conditions.

"But he still needs to play regularly and Red Bull currently provides that.

"As he moves toward the end of his contract, I believe that there will be some interesting options for him in Europe in the future."

The Costa Rican international, out of contract at the end of the season and struggling to hold down a regular starting spot this season, is being closely monitored by the Galaxy. The champion American side’s coach, Bruce Arena, has viewed several DVDs of Herandez’s unorthodox talents and is keen to see him in the flesh.

Lou Sticca, the match agent and promoter responsible for bringing the Galaxy to Australia for a third time, told The World Game: “I am aware that Galaxy have been keeping an eye on Hernandez’s career of late and are showing some interest in him.

“It’s my understanding that his Australian representatives have strongly recommended him to Bruce Arena and I know the Galaxy will be keen to see how he fares.”

The 29-year-old playmaker's visionary passing and dead-ball skills are Beckham-like in their execution and he would welcome a move should he continue to struggle to be a first-choice pick for Victory.

With the prospect of a final send-off looming for Beckham, Sticca – who was behind Galaxy’s previous trips to Australia to face Sydney FC in 2007 and Newcastle Jets in 2010 – is hoping for a crowd in excess of 30,000 for the milestone occasion as the 36-year-old former England star flirts with a possible move to French title-chaser Paris St Germain.

Sticca doesn’t believe the unfolding dramas at crisis-hit Melbourne Victory, whose coach Mehmet Durakovic has been given until Christmas to turn the club’s flagging fortunes around, will impact on the gate with 23,000 tickets already pre-sold for the game dubbed the “Hyundai Club Challenge Melbourne”.

Instead, he insists it will attract a disparate audience keen to bear witness to Beckham’s last hurrah and unconcerned by seventh-placed Victory’s dire start to the 2011-2012 season.

Even the Harry Kewell factor doesn’t enter the equation for Sticca, who added: “This is an opportunity to see David Beckham for the final time here and also a team that is coming off the back of beating Houston Dynamo to win the MLS Cup – and also including Irish star Robbie Keane and USA’s Landon Donovan, who is probably the best player America has ever produced.

“You also have Bruce Arena, who is a World Cup coach, so it’s a pretty good mix.

“I don’t think fans will be swayed by how well or how poorly Victory are going … but the fact is they are playing the biggest club in America and that’s what will generate the interest along, of course, with David Beckham’s presence.”

Sticca, the founder and inaugural chief executive of former National League club Carlton, added: “As a football fan myself, I live for these sorts of events. While I have a vested interest in the outcome I get a real buzz out of being associated with bringing out stars people have watched on TV to Australia.”

Having also brought Celtic out twice – most recently for three games in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Sticca was also responsible for luring the likes of Dwight Yorke, Japanese star Kazu and Benito Carbone to the A-League.

Galaxy winds up its tight Asian tour schedule in Melbourne after heading to Jakarta to face an all-star Indonesia Super League team (November 29) and Manila to take on the Philippines national team (December 3).

“It’s been the most productive of David Beckham’s five seasons in America, so he is coming here in great form and I would be happy with anything over 30,000 on the night,” added Sticca. “It’s a rectangular format which I am excited about because footballs fans will be able to get up close to the action.”

Sticca, who is bankrolling the project along with support from the Victorian state government, was also responsible for taking the Beckham and Galaxy travelling show to Wellington and Auckland in 2007 and 2009 respectively. But he is convinced the Melbourne experience could be the best yet.

“Though Sydney did have a huge crowd of 84,000 at ANZ Stadium back in 2007, I feel this event will just generate something extra special in terms of atmosphere,” he said.

A large contingent of Irish fans will add to the night, with Barry Corr, CEO of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, saying: “With Ireland reaching Euro 2012 – having only qualified for the European Championships once before, back in 1988 – many of our members are recognising this great achievement and are planning trips to follow their heroes in Poland and Ukraine.

“For those of us not lucky enough to be going over there, we can get along to support Ireland's Robbie Keane when he turns out for LA Galaxy in Melbourne.

“I'm sure that many Irish Australians, myself included, will be going along to wish Robbie well in advance of next year's European adventure.”

Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy contract runs out at the end of December and PSG - top of Ligue 1 after the arrival of new Qatari owners in the northern summer - has become the favourite to sign the former England captain.

The 36-year-old revealed that he has been courted by 'two big European clubs' after helping Galaxy to the MLS title last weekend.

Former AC Milan coach Leonardo, who coached Beckham during his loan move at the San Siro last year, confirmed PSG was one of those clubs as it looks to bring one of football's most high-profile names to the French capital.

"Yes, we've spoken. These situations take time. We'll see if something suits him and suits us," Leonardo was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"I know his history and he doesn't need to tell me his past. He went to Milan and it was the same thing. There is a rapport with him.

"When you talk about Beckham, you're talking about something big. Now his contract is finished, he will decide his future."

PSG's interest in Beckham has been derided in some parts as a publicity stunt as the club's new owners look to cash in on his worldwide appeal.

Leonardo, however, claimed Beckham could provide a key part in the push for a first French title since 1994.

"If Beckham thinks about coming, that's something we should be happy about," Leonardo said.

"I think he can still bring something on the pitch with the person he is and the experience he has.

"If a player like him is thinking about Paris St Germain that's good, and we've opened the door for discussions.

"Everybody's talking about PSG and that pleases me. PSG are on the up, there are 45,000 people in the stadium and everyone's happy."

The 36-year-old former England captain's Los Angeles Galaxy contract runs out at the end of December and Beckham, who has been linked with Paris St Germain, is weighing up his options.

"I have a decision to make and I haven't made it yet," Beckham told BBC Radio One.

"I've got options, which is amazing at my age. A couple of big European clubs are after me.

"I need to sit down with friends and family and decide what's best for me. I might still be here next year playing."

Beckham has always maintained he would not play for another English club after leaving Manchester United.

He added: "I have enjoyed everywhere I have played and it doesn't matter where I finish my career.

"I have always said I played for the biggest club in England and couldn't see myself playing in another English shirt."

Beckham and Robbie Keane combined to set up Landon Donovan for the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory in front of a sell-out crowd of 30,281 inside the rainy Home Depot Center.

The win handed the 36-year-old former England captain his first title in the United States - the Galaxy's first since 2005.

Beckham's future is up in the air with his five-year contract due to expire next month, but he insisted that had not affected him in the build-up.

"Not at all," he said on ESPN. "I play the game to win. Whether I stay or not, I've had an amazing five years.

"I've loved it here. The fans have been unbelievable, the owners, the players... every one of them are heroes tonight. They've been incredible all season and this has capped it off."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder said at the pre-match press conference that winning an MLS Cup title would not be a factor in his decision to stay or go, and he reiterated that stance at the final whistle.

"I've said that all the way along," he said. "It doesn't matter what happens at the end of the season.

"People were talking about if we didn't win tonight it was going to be a disappointment and an unsuccessful five years.

"It's quietened a few people, which is always nice."

While Beckham has had to wait five years for his first title, it took only a matter of months for Keane to achieve the feat following his summer move from Tottenham.

The Republic of Ireland captain admitted the fatigue had got to him in the closing stages after a busy fortnight in which he returned to Europe to help his country qualify for Euro 2012 with a two-legged play-off triumph over Estonia.

"It was a very tiring week, to be honest," he said. "I was a bit tired tonight.

"The travelling got to me a little bit towards the end. Six games in two weeks - it's a bit tough, but we won and that's the main thing."

Landon Donovan's 72nd-minute goal, from a pass by Irish international Robbie Keane, was enough to secure the victory for Galaxy.

Beckham, who won six English Premiership titles with Manchester United and a Spanish League title with Real Madrid, captured his first MLS championship in the final match of his five-year deal.

The triumph put the finishing touches to a season in which Galaxy produced the best regular-season record in the league and was unbeaten at home.

The lone goal of the match came as Beckham headed a ball to Keane, who ran into the area and fed Donovan, who fired home.

When the final whistle blew, Beckham wrapped his arms around Donovan and lifted him off his feet in celebration.

Donovan paid tribute to his "warrior-like" team-mate, saying Beckham injured a hamstring earlier in the week and was "playing on one leg."

Beckham was happy to claim the title so widely predicted when he arrived to great fanfare in 2007.

"It's about time," said Beckham, who could yet have a sequel with Galaxy if team officials can persuade him to return.

Beckham, who is also being wooed by French club Paris Saint-Germain, wouldn't be drawn on his future.

"I'm glad all the hard work of the season paid off," he said. "I play the game to win. Whether I stay or not I've had an amazing five years."

The North American league, which welcomes Montreal Impact as its 19th club next year, will feature 10 teams in the Eastern Conference and nine in the Western Conference.

The top five teams in each conference reach the play-offs.

The fourth and fifth teams meet in a one-game knockout to decide which will face the conference champion in a two-game aggregate series.

That winner will meet the winner of a series between the second- and third-placed squads in the conference final, which will be changed from a one-game knockout to a two-game aggregate series.

In another new twist, the MLS Cup will be hosted by the finalist qualifier that finished with the most points in the regular-season standings.

Previously the league has awarded the match to a host city, with Los Angeles having that role in the title match between Houston and Los Angeles well before Galaxy qualified for the championship game earlier this month.

MLS will retain a 34-match regular-season schedule for each club that starts in March and concludes in October but expansion means dropping the home-away balanced schedule format of two matches against every rival.

Instead, teams will play rivals from the other conference only once a season and meet conference rivals three times each. In the East, teams will face two conference foes only twice each.

The 33-year-old Canadian midfielder began the season with Toronto FC, was transferred to the New York Red Bulls after three games and then traded in June to DC United, which failed to qualify for the playoffs.

De Rosario led MLS in scoring with 16 goals, 13 coming in 18 games for United, and made the set-up passes on 12 other goals during the season, the league said on Friday.

De Rosario became the first MVP in North American sports history to play on three different clubs during the season he received the award.

He was also the first MLS Most Valuable Player whose team failed to reach the playoffs.

Voting by players, club officials and media decided the winner.

De Rosario received a combined 72.7 per cent of the vote from the three groups with Houston's Brad Davis second at 43.6 per cent.

Brek Shea of Dallas was third with Landon Donovan of Los Angeles fourth.

The former England captain, who created a sensation when he arrived Stateside in 2007, is in the last year of a groundbreaking five-year deal with Galaxy.

He may yet extend his tenure in Los Angeles, or he could make a move back to Europe, where French club Paris Saint-Germain has expressed interest.

Beckham says he won't even think about that until after Sunday, when he hopes to add an MLS title to the six English league titles he won with Manchester United and the Spanish league crown he claimed with Real Madrid.

The fact that the Galaxy's home ground of the Home Depot Center, in suburban Carson, was selected as the venue for the MLS Cup means Beckham has a chance to go out on a high note in front of the fans who greeted him five years ago.

Beckham, however, insisted his desire for the title is not a personal quest.

"I think wherever you play, whatever you want to do in your life, you want to be successful," he said.

"I've been lucky enough throughout my career to be successful with Manchester United and successful at Real Madrid.

"Of course I want to win the Cup on Sunday. But it's more important for the club that we win the Cup on Sunday than myself."

Galaxy boasts three of the league's top players in Beckham, USA international Landon Donovan and Ireland captain Robbie Keane - who arrived this season.

For the second year in a row, Galaxy claimed the MLS Supporter's Shield as the team with the best record in the regular season.

In England or Spain that would have been enough to make Beckham and his team-mates champions, but in classic US sports style the MLS awards its crown to the team that goes all the way in the MLS Cup playoffs.

"It's only the last year or two that I've started to understand the playoffs," Beckham admitted.

"Playing in European things when you win the league you're champions.

"We've had success in the last three years, we've got to the MLS Cup final, we've won two Supporters' Shields," said Beckham, whose only other appearance in the MLS Cup final was in the Galaxy's loss to Real Salt Lake in 2009.

"We want the big one," he said. "We want the MLS Cup."

Galaxy is unbeaten in 23 matches at home this season.

Houston coach Dominic Kinnear, whose side was floundering before a late-season surge carried it into the playoffs, knows Dynamo face a tough task.

But even after the loss to injury of play-maker Brad Davis, Kinnear was bullish on his team's chances of claiming a third MLS Cup in six years. He guided it to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007, after the club was relocated from San Jose.

"If you look at it on paper, the odds probably lean toward LA," Kinnear said. "But it's a Cup final. It's 90 minutes of football. Anything can happen."

Kinnear is also unfazed by the focus on Beckham and his high-profile team-mates.

"If we get lost in the shuffle, that's the way it is," he said. "I don't really care what other people think.

That's lucky, since the 36-year-old Beckham is one of the most recognisable faces in world sport, attracting headlines wherever he goes.

His MLS career has had plenty of rocky moments, including injuries and an extended loan to AC Milan that had some - including team-mate Donovan - questioning his commitment to the US league.

This season, Beckham excelled as Galaxy's playmaker, credited with setting up 15 goals in the regular season and three more in the playoffs.

"David has delivered for us on all aspects beyond our expectations, on and off the field," MLS commissioner Don Garber said last week.

"I have to say MLS wouldn't be what it is today if David didn't decide in 2007 to come play in Major League Soccer."

The 31-year-old LA Galaxy frontman struck twice in the 4-0 Euro 2012 play-off rout of Estonia in Tallinn, prompting club boss Bruce Arena to suggest he could head back to Los Angeles to prepare for this weekend's showdown with Houston Dynamo.

However, Keane was not about to pass up the opportunity to celebrate qualification for a major tournament finals for the first time on Irish soil against the battered and bruised Estonians at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning AEDT).

The Ireland captain said: "They requested could I come back to LA, but obviously the manager and myself and everyone have said 'No', because it's still halfway.

"Even though it would be a tragedy if we didn't qualify now, the job is still not done yet. We have to be professional and do the job properly.

"They requested me to come back with the final on Sunday, but this could be one of the greatest moments in Irish history for me playing for my country, and to miss a special night - hopefully - like this tomorrow night, it wouldn't feel right."

Asked if Galaxy had been annoyed at the decision, Keane insisted it had understood.

He said: "No, no, because I am with the national team. It would be disrespectful to the players and everyone associated thinking that the job is 100 percent done.

"We know in football anything can happen. They requested it and they were happy with what the manager and the Association said, so believe me, it's no problem."

It is 10 years since Ireland made it to a finals tournament, the 2002 World Cup in the Far East, and on that occasion, it also took the play-off route.

But skipper Roy Keane, who had headed off on international duty nursing an ankle injury, was not present as the trip to the Far East was confirmed in Tehran having, to the surprise of many, returned to Manchester United after a 2-0 home win over Iran in the first leg.

The current skipper said: "I don't want to get into what happened in the past, I can only speak for myself and what Ireland means to me, and you all know I turn up for every game.

"If I have got a slight injury, I still come in and try my best to play the game, that's just the way I have been brought up, that's the kind of player I am.

"My country means everything to me. I would never not turn up. I have never done that in the past, and I can proudly say that.

"Roy was a top, top player and whatever happened to Roy in the past, that's something you would have to ask him.

"I can only speak on behalf of me and for me, this is probably one of the proudest moments my footballing career, to lead this team to where we are now and to achieve what we have achieved."

Keane admitted he had never before had the luxury of heading into the second leg of any tie with such a substantial lead, but has experience of how a seemingly impregnable advantage can be over-turned after finding himself on the wrong-end of a remarkable FA Cup fightback by Manchester City as a Tottenham Hotspur player.

In February 2004 at White Hart Lane, Tottenham was leading City's 10 men 3-0 at half-time and coasting, but contrived to lose 4-3.

Keane said: "I was actually playing against Richard [Dunne] - we even speak about it now - and we were chatting through the game and Richard was saying, 'Imagine if we came back and beat you', and I said, 'No chance, it's not going to happen'.

"Then every five minutes, they seemed to get a goal and we ended up losing the game 4-3.

"That's what I am saying - in football, anything can happen, so we have to be professional and do the job properly."

Professionalism was a theme which ran through Ireland's pre-match press conference with manager Giovanni Trapattoni citing Keane's desperation to see the job through as evidence.

He said: "I was in Germany and Portugal and Italy and I have in my life worked with 2,000 players and I have been lucky with those players because they had this commitment and this seriousness and this professionalism.

"Two years ago, it was impossible for me to understand that, when we said the players could go out and that they had to be back at 10pm, some came back at 1am.

"It's a professional mentality and now 99 percent have got the message, but one percent still haven't."

Beckham missed most of last season after suffering an Achilles injury while on loan at AC Milan.

The 36-year-old returned this term to play 26 games - the most he has managed in a season since his move to the United States - while also contributing 15 assists.

Beckham, who was also named in the MLS Best XI last week, received 59.8 percent of votes cast by media, players and club officials.

The 36-year-old English star was recognised Ton hursday as one of the league's top 11 players in each position as voted by the players, team officials and media members.

Beckham, who appeared in 26 games for Galaxy this season, was one of five midfielders named to the all-star team.

Beckham's team-mate and fellow midfielder Landon Donovan was also recognised along with France's Thierry Henry who plays for New York Red Bulls.

Beckham ranked second in the League in assists with 15 and first in game-winning assists with seven. He also scored two goals.

Beckham will play in his first MLS Cup final on 20 November when Galaxy faces Houston at the Home Depot Centre.

The 36-year-old English midfielder set up a goal with one of his trademark crosses as Los Angeles Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup final with a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game," Beckham said.

"We knew we were always going to be creating scoring chances so it was all about stopping them."

Beckham set up Mike Magee for a goal in the 58th minute.

Landon Donovan had earlier scored and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane would go on to get the third for the Galaxy.

The match will take place at the Galaxy's Home Depot Center in south central Los Angeles after Houston beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in the other semi-final.

Beckham's cross enabled Magee to score his third goal of the post-season.

"When we walked through the tunnel for the second half, we heard some of their players saying we were tired, we were done," Beckham said.

"I think that inspired us. We're happy to be winning the Western final tonight but we're not getting carried away."

Beckham said winning an MLS Cup would be comparable to some of the other championships he has enjoyed.

"It is my number one priority," Beckham said.

"As a professional you always want to be successful. I have done it for most of my career.

"It always means the same whether it's winning the MLS Cup, the European Cup or La Liga. Every time you pick up the silverware it is the same."

The Galaxy have played in six previous finals, winning two.

Beckham has not said where he wants to play after this season, with Paris Saint-Germain and English Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers expressing interest.

A new deal with the Galaxy is also an outside option.

LA Galaxy, champion in 2002 and 2005, defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 in front of its own fans to become Western Conference champion.

Captain Landon Donovan opened the scoring with a penalty, awarded in the 22nd minute after Omar Gonzalez had been bundled over by Andy Williams.

Alvaro Saborio equalised three minutes later, taking advantage of slack marking following a corner to head home from close range.

However, the home lead was restored when David Beckham whipped in a trademark cross from the right and Magee powered home a header from six yards.

And 10 minutes later Robbie Keane, who had earlier hit the post with a low shot, took a pass from Donovan and scored with a low shot into the far corner from 10 yards out.

The visitor had its chances after the break, with Fabian Espindola striking the bar and wasting a chance to set up an exciting finish when he shot wide in the 90th minute.

Galaxy boss Bruce Arena told ESPN: "It's the third game in a week for both teams and I think we ran out of gas. We could have got a few more goals.

"Mike has been terrific, he's very versatile, and Robbie is a goalscorer - it was a really classy finish. We've been lacking a bit in and around the penalty area and he gives us that."

Beckham also praised Republic of Ireland international Keane as he said: "He knows how to score, he's done it his whole career.

"He scores at vital times and today he eased the pressure on us and got us over the line.

"We had a lot of other chances we should have put away but we're happy...it was always going to be a difficult game."

Asked how significant an MLS Cup success would be in his career, the former England midfielder said: "After my family it's the number one priority.

"Professionally I want to be successful and whether it's winning the Champions League, the Premier League or the Primera Division - picking up silverware means the same thing."

Houston Dynamo, winner in 2006 and 2007, emerged from its Eastern Conference showdown at Sporting Kansas City with a 2-0 win.

Andre Hainault gave Houston a 53rd-minute lead when he tapped in from close range after substitute Jermaine Taylor had headed Adam Moffat's kick on to him.

The win was rounded off three minutes from time as the home side pushed forward seeking an equaliser, Carlo Costly outwitting defender Aurelien Collin before beating goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen from the edge of the penalty area.

Galaxy led going into the game following a 1-0 win in the first leg and it finished the job off at the Home Depot Center.

Widely-travelled Birmingham-born striker Luke Rodgers levelled the aggregate scores in the fourth minute when he put New York ahead with a low shot, following a through-ball from Thierry Henry.

However, Beckham and Mike Magee again teamed up to restore Galaxy's overall advantage.

In the first leg Magee finished off a Beckham free-kick and in the reverse encounter he headed in a trademark corner by the former England star to make it 1-1 three minutes before half-time.

After Rodgers found the side-netting in the second half Beckham was fouled in the penalty area by Roy Miller and Landon Donovan stepped up to seal a 3-1 aggregate success from the spot in the 75th minute.

Galaxy will have home advantage when it faces Real Salt Lake in the conference final.

In the Eastern Conference semi-final second leg, Brian Ching netted at the end of the first half to give Houston Dynamo a 1-0 victory and 3-1 aggregate victory over Philadelphia Union.

Ching headed home a Brad Davis free-kick from 12 yards to set up a final at Sporting Kansas City and maintain Houston's hopes of a third MLS Cup in six years.

Klopas had been serving as an interim coach since replacing Carlos de los Cobos on May 30 after Fire fizzled to a start of 1-4 with six drawn.

Under Klopas, Fire went 8-5 with 10 drawn.

Klopas played for Kansas City and Chicago in the 1990s and was an indoor soccer star in the 1980s.

Kansas City led 2-0 after the first leg and a goal in each half at Livestrong Sporting Park tonight from Aurelin Collin and CJ Sapong gave the hosts another 2-0 success.

The 4-0 aggregate victory sets up an Eastern Conference final against either Houston Dynamo or Philadelphia Union for Peter Vermes' team.

The 36-year-old's deal with current club Los Angeles Galaxy is about to run out and he admits there has been interest from Premier League clubs as well as Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain.

The former England skipper has been linked with the team for next year's Games and of the possibility of being involved, Beckham told BBC Sport: "We all dream about it and we all think about it.

"If it happens, I'll be honoured."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder has been playing at the highest level for almost 20 years and he is adamant he can continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

"People have been saying [I am too old] for the last 10 or 15 years and I've still continued to play for my country," Beckham said.

"Right now, I feel fit and still love playing, so I'm not finishing yet."

With his LA Galaxy contract almost up, attention has turned to his next destination whether that be in Europe or staying in the United States.

Beckham insists he has not had any contact with PSG and added: "There is also interest in me staying here and interest going to certain clubs in the Premier League.

"At 36 years old to still have that interest in me is an honour, I'm very flattered by that but right now I'm a Galaxy player and I will continue to be a Galaxy player until we win the league - the MLS Cup - and then we'll see.

"I haven't even sat down and thought about what my options are yet."

He also believes he will know when it is time to quit, saying: "It's always difficult making that decision about stopping but I don't think I'm going to have that problem.

"I think I'm going to know when to finish, but that's not yet.

"As long as I feel I can play at a high level, then I'll continue. Once that changes, I'm going to have to accept I need to stop."

Galaxy hosts New York Red Bulls in the second leg of its Western Conference semi-final and holds a 1-0 lead.

Beckham also says he might be interested in buying a team in the United States when he gives the game up.

He added: "I have the option and it's something I probably will do. Obviously I have to wait until I finish playing.

"I want to be part of something that is going to grow and I believe that this sport is going to grow."

Teal Bunbury scored in the 49th and 59th minutes as Sporting Kansas City beat reigning MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids 2-0.

Colorado started without midfielder Jamie Smith, who injured his knee in the wildcard win over Columbus Crew earlier in the week, and lost Caleb Folan (knee) and Kosuke Kimura (foot) to injuries in the first half.

The Rapids must win away at Kansas City mid-week to have any chance of progressing to the conference final.

Houston Dynamo edged Philadelphia Union 2-1 in its opening leg.

Hainault opened the scoring with a header in the fifth minute, but Sebastien Le Toux cancelled that out with an equaliser two minutes later.

Carr's goal in the 30th minute gave two-time MLS Cup champion Houston a one-goal cushion going into the return match.

Robbie Keane had already hit a post for Galaxy by the time Mike Magee gave it a 15th-minute lead after being picked out by a David Beckham free-kick.

Red Bulls had numerous chances to equalise but found Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders in fine form.

Saunders saved from Dane Richards at the start of the second half and again shortly after when Joel Lindpere found space in the six-yard box.

At the other end, Landon Donovan was denied by Frank Rost before Saunders saved the visitor again with a wonderful late save from a Rafael Marquez drive.

A physical contest threatened to boil over several times with Thierry Henry fortunate to stay on the field after a late kick at Beckham after already receiving a yellow card for a poor tackle on the former England captain.

And after the final whistle Marquez started a melee after a confrontation with Adam Cristman which saw the Mexican aim a headbutt at the Galaxy substitute.

Salt Lake controlled possession and pressed the attack throughout much of the first half before Saborio finally took advantage in the 42nd minute.

With goalkeeper Kasey Keller out of position, Saborio took a pass from Chris Wingert and tapped the ball across the line.

Saborio extended the lead in the 53rd minute when he gathered a pass from Javier Morales after a throw-in and flicked the ball around Seattle defender Jeff Parke with his heel and into the net.

Ned Grabavoy sealed the win in the 89th minute when he tracked down a poorly cleared ball, shook off a defender and fired a shot inside the right post.

The second leg of the semi-final will be played on Wednesday at Seattle.

Cummings settled this wildcard shoot-out as the interval approached, converting a pass from Kosuke Kimura.

Colorado now heads into a two-legged play-off with Kansas City Wizards.

The 2-0 result at Pizza Hut Park was sealed in spite of the 79th-minute dismissal of Jan Gunnar Solli.

New York now faces a two-legged tie with Los Angeles Galaxy, setting up a head-to-head between two Premier League legends - David Beckham and Thierry Henry.

The latter put the seal on Red Bulls's win, scoring at the second attempt following an injury-time long ball.

Joel Lindpere had opened the scoring (61st), with Solli sent off for a foul on Daniel Hernandez.

New England announced on its website that the 49-year-old former Scotland and Liverpool defender had met with Revolution chiefs Robert and Jonathan Kraft today, where it was mutually decided to part ways.

Nicol, who departs as the longest-serving coach with a single club in MLS history, said on www.revolutionsoccer.net: "I'm very thankful to the Krafts for giving me the opportunity to be their head coach.

"I've had some great times and been involved with some great players and great people. My family will always remain part of the Kraft family."

Nicol first took charge on an interim basis for three games at the end of the 1999 season and then, after being appointed assistant coach at the start of the 2002 campaign, he was again promoted to interim coach seven matches into the term.

He ended the season by being named MLS coach of the year after leading the team to the MLS Cup, where it was beaten by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and was subsequently appointed to the position full-time and had been in charge since.

However, the Revolution failed to qualify for the post-season in either of the last two campaigns, and today the two parties decided to go their separate ways.

Jonathan Kraft said: "Robert and I met with Stevie today and we had a productive discussion about this past season and the direction the club needs to go in the future.

"We all agreed a change of direction was needed to reverse the trend of the past couple of years.

"Stevie was a successful head coach and a tremendous ambassador for the Revolution for the past decade and set a high standard for success, leading us to four conference titles in six years. We thank him for all of his contributions."

Matt Besler scored the winning goal after 54 minutes as Kansas City ended the regular season three points clear of the Philadelphia Union, who rounded out their campaign with a 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls.

Columbus Crew, who like Philadelphia secured a place in the play-offs, missed the chance to leapfrog Union into second as it fell to a 3-2 loss at the Chicago Fire.

The Fire went two up inside half an hour through an Jalil Anibaba brace, and although the Crew levelled through Emilio Renteria (72) and Dilly Duka (79), Diego Chaves hit Chicago's winner on 81 minutes.

Emmanuel Ekpo was sent off for the Crew in stoppage time.

Seattle Sounders, already secured second place in the West behind the Los Angeles Galaxy, finishing the regular season with a 3-1 win at Chivas USA.

An Andrew Boyens own-goal on 53 minutes and strikes by Alvaro Fernandez (68) and Sammy Ochoa (73) sealed the win for the Sounders, while Chivas replied through Victor Estupinan on 83 minutes.

San Jose Earthquakes was a 4-2 winner over FC Dallas, with all of the goals from the host coming in the first half.

Simon Dawkins (26 and 38), Rafael Baca (27), Chris Wondolowski (34pen) put San Jose in control before Dallas, who booked a place in the post-season, reduced the deficit through George John (45) and Ruben Luna (90).

Colorado Rapids also advances to the post-season and finished the regular campaign with a 2-1 win at in Vancouver.

Alain Rochat put his side ahead on 49 minutes but the Rapids secured the points with goals from Jeff Larentowitcz (59) and Wells Thompson (84).

Real Salt Lake is also in the play-offs and rounded out with a 1-1 draw over the eliminated Portland Timbers.

Alvaro Saborio fired Real ahead on the stroke of the interval, but it ended honours even after Mamadou Danso levelled in stoppage time at the end of the second half.

New England Revolution and Toronto FC played out a 2-2 draw in a clash between two eliminated sides.

Nick Soolsma put Toronto ahead on 20 minutes before Monsef Zerka (40) and Milton Caraglio (46) but the Revolution in command.

Toronto sealed a point when Danny Koevermans netted on 83 minutes, while New England finished with 10 men after Chris Tierney saw red for a second booking.

There was a touch of good fortune about New York's eighth-minute winner, the ball eventually going in off Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon after Dane Richards' header had come back of the left-hand post.

The win means New York reach the play-offs at the expense of Western Conference outfit the Portland Timbers, who needed the Red Bulls to lose at the Red Bull Arena if it was to have any realistic chance of making the post-season in their final game of the regular season this weekend.

The Union remains in second place in the East, having already booked its place in the next phase of the competition.

Kenny Cooper fired visitor Portland into the lead after 24 minutes, but it ended honours even after Dwayne De Rosario levelled for the host 17 minutes from full-time.

The point leaves DC seventh in the Eastern Conference and now officially out of the playoff picture, while Portland stays alive in the west but need other results to go their way in the final round of fixtures.

Should Philadelphia Union do them a favour by defeating Red Bull New York, Portland can reach the play-offs with victory over Real Salt Lake.

Henry got his marching orders for an ill-advised tangle with Roger Espinoza in the first half as Sporting secured a creditable win through goals by CJ Sapong and Teal Bunbury.

Philadelphia Union also made sure of a play-off place as it drew 1-1 against Toronto with Sebastien Le Toux's opener being cancelled out by Ryan Johnson in the second half.

Diego Chaves and Sebastian Grazzini scored late on to earn the Chicago Fire a 2-1 win away to DC United in the capital to keep alive its post-season ambition.

Andres Mendoza netted twice in Columbus Crew's 3-0 win against the Revolution on away turf in New England while Dallas was a 2-0 victor at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Late goals from Sammy Ochoa and Freddy Montero earned the Seattle Sounders a come-from-behind 2-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes.

After a slow start to proceedings Andre Hainault put Dynamo ahead nine minutes before the half-time whistle.

Portland tried to rally in the second half but were undone when Danny Cruz doubled Houston's lead in the 58th minute.

Elsewhere Colorado Rapids drew 0-0 at home to Real Salt Lake.

Adu scored with half an hour remaining with Carroll confirming three points 10 minutes later at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Philadelphia thus moves to the top of the Eastern Conference with two games left to play.

Seattle, meanwhile, stay second in the West, but is eliminated from the Supporters' Shield race.

With the result, Los Angeles Galaxy clinched its second straight Shield.

Chris Wondolowski joined Dwayne De Rosario and Thierry Henry atop the scoring charts as his double strike fired San Jose to a 2-1 victory over New England at Gillette Stadium.

Wondolowski opened the scoring after just eight minutes as he controlled goalkeeper David Bingham's long kick and slotted the ball inside the far post.

Benny Feilhaber equalised after 55 minutes, but Wondolowski scored the winner with eight minutes left by rising to nod home his 14th goal of the season to claim all three points for the visiting Earthquakes.

The host gained the upper hand two minutes before half-time when Blake Wagner was given a straight red card and Da Silva put his side ahead.

Da Silva doubled the lead eight minutes after the break with his second spot-kick with Nizar Khalfan getting the third two minutes from time.

It was only Vancouver's fifth win of the season although it remains bottom and sees its visitor remain six points behind second-placed Seattle Sounders in third.

According to figures released by Britain's Companies House, revenue for the company which handles Beckham's endorsements was STG14.9 million ($A24 million) in 2010.

In 2009, Footwork Productions received STG11.4 million from companies that include sportswear manufacturer Adidas.

The accounts also showed that the 36-year-old former England captain received STG11.6 million from the company compared with STG9 million the previous year.

A separate company, Brand Beckham, receives a share of the merchandising revenue he generates for the Galaxy as well as joint endorsements with his wife, Victoria, including their range of fragrances.

A third revenue stream in 2010 was Beckham's guaranteed $US6.5 million ($A6.76 million) annual salary from the Galaxy.

He is currently deciding what to do when his five-year Major League Soccer contract expires in November.

Several European clubs have expressed an interest in signing the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, including French side Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers.

The 36-year-old's contract with Los Angeles Galaxy expires after the current Major League Season and PSG, who has been active in the transfer market following its takeover by the Qatar Investment Authority, has made no secret of its desire to lure the former England captain to the Parc des Princes.

Beckham has worked previously with PSG sporting director Leonardo during his two loan spells at AC Milan and has been keeping a close eye on happenings in the French capital.

He told www.sports.fr: "I had a good relationship with him when I was in Milan the first time and also when he was manager the second time.

"He's a great sporting director and a wonderful person. I'm flattered that he wants me to come join him and the team in Paris, but I'm a Galaxy player, I live in Los Angeles, I am happy there and I play for them.

"There are great things happening in France at several clubs, but it's an exciting time for PSG ... Leonardo joining them, the money the club has, so it's an interesting club."

Beckham and pop star wife Victoria recently had their fourth child and the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder is adamant his family's considerations will be paramount in deciding where to go next, with clubs from Brazil and the Middle East also reportedly interested.

"This (the family) is the number one priority, family comes first and where they are happy is where I stay, it's that simple," he added.

"My children go to school in LA and have done for five years. They are at the age where stability is important, so we'll see. I always said I will wait until the end of the season, see how I feel physically and then decide.

"There is no urgency on my part obviously. It is important that I focus on the rest of the season.

"We should make the play-offs, we still have two matches to go and I will focus on the season and worry about the rest later."

After being left out of United's starting line-up for the weekend win over Norwich City, Ferdinand was then ignored by Fabio Capello for England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro on Friday evening (Saturday morning AEDT).

Given Phil Jones' outstanding form after his northern summer arrival from Blackburn Rovers, there has been plenty of speculation that Ferdinand, who is nearly 33 and has been plagued by fitness problems for three years, might be eased out at Old Trafford.

With that backdrop, it is not a surprise that ambitious MLS outfit Chicago Fire has emerged as a potential suitor.

However, now into his 10th season at United, Ferdinand has made it perfectly clear he still feels there is a major role for him to play with the Red Devils.

"It has been a very frustrating period for all concerned," Ferdinand's long-standing friend and representative Jamie Moralee told Press Association Sport.

"What he wants to do is put his injuries behind him and start showing the form that even last season he produced against some of the very best forwards in the world.

"Rio understands there is some great talent at Manchester United. But he is up for the challenge of that and I am sure he has a big part to play.

"He is now in his 10th season at United. He still has a great hunger and desire to win trophies. It is the type of challenge he thrives on."

Ferdinand has never been a stereotypical footballer.

His wide-ranging business interests, including his own restaurant in Manchester and digital magazine, emphasise how he will not be short of things to occupy his mind when retirement eventually beckons.

However, having been part of a club where Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar have all starred at the top level well into their 30s, Ferdinand does not believe that day is looming just yet.

However, having spent this northern summer in the United States with United - where Chicago was one of its opponents on a very successful pre-season tour - it is easy to see why the defender would be so attractive, given the boost in profile the MLS has received from the arrivals of Ferdinand's one-time team-mate David Beckham and former Arsenal star Thierry Henry.

"I understand the reasons why someone like Rio would be attractive to them," said Moralee.

"There is an appeal on and off the pitch because he could help retain the global status provided by Beckham and Henry.

"But I must stress, these stories are nothing to do with Rio.

"We have never discussed anything beyond life at Manchester United because that is all he cares about."

To the extent that Ferdinand has been actively helping Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and even striker Danny Welbeck on the training ground.

Welbeck spoke warmly about the former West Ham United skipper, insisting there is no way anyone should start writing him off just yet.

It is a message Ferdinand is keen to get out himself.

"When you enter your 10th year at a club, a testimonial is something in the background, but that is something else that has never been discussed either," said Moralee.

"It doesn't matter whether it is the 10th year, the 11th year or the 13th, when the time is right, we will sit down with the club and talk about it.

"But for now it is not on the agenda. The only thing that matters is getting back out on the pitch for Manchester United on a regular basis again because there is so much he still wants to achieve with them."

Although any contract with Ferdinand would be negotiated through MLS, with club input, Fire would solely be responsible for acquiring what would be dubbed 'a marquee player'.

However, Fire insists it has made no moves for Ferdinand, despite the obvious attraction.

"We have watched and admired the play of Rio Ferdinand for a number of years, and we would be thrilled to have a player of his quality join the Chicago Fire Soccer Club," said a club statement.

"However, there is no substance to these current reports that the Fire is negotiating with Manchester United and the player to bring him to Chicago."

Rodgers put the host ahead in the 31st minute before former Arsenal forward Henry sealed victory with half-an-hour of the game remaining.

It was only Galaxy's fourth defeat in 32 games while it guided the east coast side to third in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind leader Sporting Kansas City.

Dan Woolard gave United the lead after 37 minutes but Woolard's own goal three minutes into the second half and an Eddie Gaven goal earned Crew victory.

Portland Timbers was a 1-0 winner away to Vancouver Whitecaps with a goal from Kenny Cooper.

Juan Pablo Angel earned Chivas USA a draw with Philadelphia Union with an equaliser in the final minute after Justin Mapp had given the visitor the lead just before the hour.

Fabian Espindola scored in the 45th minute for Real Salt Lake before David Beckham helped set up both Galaxy goals.

Chad Barrett scored the equaliser on 59 minutes before and own-goal on 72 minutes gifted LA the points.

Eastern Conference leader Sporting Kansas City is two points clear after drawing 1-1 away to San Jose Earthquakes.

The home side went ahead after 85 minutes through Chris Wondolowski but Teal Bunbury earned his side a point when he netted a minute later.

New York Red Bulls picked up a point away to Toronto FC as Thierry Henry scored in the 88th minute to cancel out Danny Koevermans' opener.

Freddy Montero scored twice as Seattle Sounders came from behind to win 2-1 against New England Revolution, which had led through Diego Fagundez.

Drew Moor scored the only goal as Colorado Rapids beat FC Dallas 1-0.

Dominic Oduro scored for Chicago Fire to earn a 1-1 draw away at Houston Dynamo, which had led through Colin Clark.

Sebastien Le Toux scored twice for the Union with Michael Farfan getting the other goal.

DC found itself 2-0 down early in the game before Dwayne De Rosario and Andy Najar scored to bring things level before half-time

Farfan's goal in the second half settled matters.