Real Salt Lake notes: Beckham says he'll be ready to go in title match

SEATTLE — David Beckham practiced with his L.A. Galaxy teammates for the first time this week in anticipation of this Sunday's MLS Cup final at Qwest Field.

The midfielder has been battling an ankle injury, and early this week the paparazzi in Southern California snapped photos of him walking around with a walking boot.

Beckham insists it won't be an issue on Sunday against Real Salt Lake.

"It's been frustrating, but I'm sure it'll be fine for Sunday," he said. "It's one of those things that you just have to get through. After five, 10 minutes of the game I'm sure I'll forget all about it."

Beckham's also been dealing with a bit of a back injury lately and clearly isn't 100 percent heading into the final MLS game of the season.

Asked if he would likely need a cortisone shot in his ankle this Sunday, he said definitely.

NOT SURPRISED: Former Real Salt Lake midfielder Chris Klein isn't one bit surprised to see his old team in the MLS Cup.

"They have the right parts on the field and with Jason (Kreis) and (Dave) Checketts leading them, they're heading definitely in the right direction and they deserve to be here," he said.

From an outsider's point of view, Klein thought it was interesting that RSL was so good at home and struggled so much on the road this year. He believes the foundation was always there for success on the road, and whatever RSL tweaked it's starting to work.

SORTING THINGS OUT: When Los Angeles lost at FC Dallas 6-3 on Sept. 12, serious questions arose about the team's ability to defend in crucial matches down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Those questions are a non-issue now. L.A. surrendered just two goals in the final five matches of the regular season and has only allowed two goals in three playoff matches.

"I think we've been very organized over the last part of the season. Organized and really clear on our objective of how we play as a team," said Klein. "We're defending the right way and then getting out and attacking with our weapons."

DIFFICULT TASK: Los Angeles hasn't beaten Real Salt Lake since June 18, 2007, including a tie and loss against its MLS Cup opponent earlier this year.

Beckham didn't play in either of those matches this year, and Landon Donovan only played in one. Nonetheless, Donovan believes RSL is a dangerous team.

"Real's strength is in the midfield and forwards. They've got six guys who can pull off pretty special plays in given moments, maybe seven guys," he said. "When they get the ball and get moving and they're active and they have good rhythm, they're a very difficult team to beat.

"Our intention is not to let them do that. We're gonna make it difficult on them. I think they've had it in some of their games a little bit too easy to do those things."

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com