A young woman in the first row behind the far corner flag was savoring prime views of the world's most recognizable player.

The T-shirt she wore to the MLS Cup on Sunday night had a simple message in black and white: "Beckham Bend It Here."

David Beckham promised he will be indeed be back in MLS next season _ and that he will eventually exercise his option to own one of the league's teams.

"Of course," he said of returning in 2010, after his limped through the Los Angeles Galaxy's upset loss to Real Salt Lake in the league's championship match. "I've said I'll be back, and I will."

It will be his fourth season of a $32.5 million, five-year contract with the United States' upstart league. It will also be another chance to win a title in three countries.

He did all he could do win it Sunday night.

He took three painkilling injections before the game to dull the ache in his bruised right foot and ankle. He set up his team's only goal with a deft touch pass to co-star Landon Donovan. He played all 120 minutes, including a 30-minute overtime. Then he banged in the first of the Galaxy's four penalty-kick goals in a deciding shootout, with a straight grounder while Salt Lake goalkeeper and game MVP Nick Rimando dived left.

If only he could have taken one more. Donovan missed the net completely on his try, and Los Angeles lost 5-4 on penalty kicks.

"It's Russian roulette," Beckham said of the ending. "It's not a nice way to go out."

Yet, he insists he's not going away for good, that he will not use his right to terminate his MLS contract after this season. He will take four weeks off to rest his foot, then plans to report on time Dec. 28 to begin training Dec. 28 for his second consecutive season on loan to AC Milan.

Before returning to MLS, the 34-year-old hopes to make England's team for next summer's World Cup.

His Sunday was like his team's: a flashy, productive start that fizzled into a slog through the overtime and penalty kicks.

"(The injections) wore off after about 50 minutes," he said.

It showed. His passes often fell short in the second half. In the 58th minute, he was flat-footed and seemed surprised by a shot taken a few feet in front of him by Salt Lake's Robbie Findley. It darted past Beckham for the tying goal.

He limped off at end of regulation. And he looked exhausted throughout the overtime, moving quickly only when the ball was near, or to put it in play of one of his many, signature free kicks.