In what could be his final appearance in a Major League Soccer uniform, David Beckham will attempt to lead the Galaxy to a league title as Los Angeles takes on the Houston Dynamo in a one-game championship showdown for the MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Sunday night (9:00 pm Eastern, ESPN).
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The Galaxy, which finished the MLS regular-season as the Supporters’ Shield winners with a glittering record of 19-5-10 in soccer betting results, are seeking their third MLS Cup after winning previous championships in 2002 and 2005.
The Dynamo, which finished second in the Eastern division with a regular-season record of 12-9-13, have proven themselves as worthy challengers after knocking off division winners Sporting Kansas City on the road to advance to the MLS Cup final. Houston has also won two previous MLS championships, delivering back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Los Angeles has not lost a single match at home this season, posting a 14-0-5 record (including a pair of playoff victories over New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake). The Galaxy is accordingly listed as strong -160 favorites to win the MLS Cup on Sunday night.
Houston has posted a road record of 4-6-9 (including postseason wins at Philadelphia and Kansas City), and is listed as a steep underdog at +450 odds to hand Los Angeles its first defeat this season at the Home Depot Center.
Houston, playing at home, defeated Los Angeles 3-1 on October 23 as Adam Moffat, Bobby Boswell and Carlo Costly each scored goals for the Dynamo, before Jack McBean managed to answer for the Galaxy. However, LA rested many of its starters in that game including Beckham, Landon Donovan and Mike Magee, as the Galaxy had already clinched the Supporters’ Shield.
Houston will be missing star midfielder and MVP candidate Brad Davis on Sunday night. Davis, who led the MLS with 16 assists this season, suffered a leg injury in the Eastern Conference final against Kansas City.