First, Beckham has a history of skipping games on artificial turf — and the game at the Rogers Centre goes on the fake stuff. Through a series of scheduling woes and nagging injuries, Beckham only made one appearance at BMO Field before the surface was changed to grass — that was the 2008 MLS All-Star Game.

Until Sunday, the Galaxy had been the team that couldn’t win when it mattered. But then a trio of Designated Players combined to give Los Angeles the goal that ended years of frustration.

His teammate, David Beckham, was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Monday; but you could make an argument that it should have been Dunivant, not Becks, who should have got that nod. At 30, Dunivant had his best-ever season in Los Angeles, playing in 33 of 34 games with one of the stingiest defences in North American soccer.

Toronto FC will face the Los Angeles Galaxy in its CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final. The two teams were matched together during Tuesday’s quarter-final draw at CONCACAF headquarters in New York.

Hainault, who was not invited to the Canadian national team camp for next week’s two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis, scored the opening goal as the Dynamo beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Final.

But, we need to look at the Galaxy in a truly North American sports context — after all, MLS is a North American league — where regular-season success means very little compared to playoff excellence. The Galaxy, until it wins MLS Cup, has to be compared to the likes of the San Jose Sharks or San Diego Chargers, talented teams who consistently lose when it counts.

In a season marred by some ugly tackles, injured stars and star suspension, Beckham’s awful challenge that knocked TFC’s Tony Tchani out of the game was the talking point of the match. And, no doubt, it will be looked at by the MLS disciplinary domos later this week. This isn’t unusual, MLS, as a rule, reviews all major incidents from the weekend’s matches.

The significance of Toronto FC’s 6-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Union can’t be ignored. Through five coaches and three GMs/directors of soccer/technical directors, TFC fans have heard of long-term plans, rebuilding processes and the continuing pleas to fans for patience. Philadelphia was a raw expansion franchise last season. It has played a third of its schedule in year two of its existence, and it’s in first place in the East. You could make the argument that the Union is at a better point now than TFC has been any time in its history. When the Union faced TFC — on TFC's home turf — it was men vs. boys.

In a 0-0 draw with few scoring chances for either side, just about the only flash at BMO Field on Wednesday night was provided by the extra photographers on hand to catch an action shot of David Beckham. Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy each had a few attacking bursts throughout the game, but overall, both sides were lacking on offence — perhaps not surprising, given some of the personnel missing from each team's starting XI.

It’s become obligatory for every sports journalist to provide season previews for the league he or she covers. It’s automatic, and a great space killer! In that vein, The 11 presents its “waited until the last possible second before the regular season” season preview! Why the wait? Because it’s hard to figure out the East. The West? Wow, a lot of power and depth there. As for the East? Last season, New York and Columbus and six other mediocre to bad to awful clubs were in the conference. New York and Columbus left them all in the dust.