CARSON, California -- The LA Galaxy overcame a 1-0 half-time deficit to defeat the Houston Dynamo 3-1 on Saturday and capture its second consecutive MLS Cup. A sold-out crowd of 30,515 at The Home Depot Center watched the dramatic encounter, which closed the curtain on David Beckham's six-year career with the four-time U.S. champion.

The match pitted two squads that met in last year's final, have advanced to the quarterfinals of this season's Champions League and qualified for the 2013/14 edition of the CONCACAF club championship.

Calen Carr gave the Dynamo a 44th minute lead, netting his second career postseason goal. The 30-year-old forward perfectly timed a run into the box and capitalized on a delightfully measured pass from Adam Moffatt.

Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, headed a Juninho cross past Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall in the 60th minute to level the score.

"I was hoping that Juninho was just going to loft one up there to me and he did," Gonzalez said after the game. "I was able to get over him (the Dynamo defender) and get the goal."

Momentum swayed further in the Galaxy's favor five minutes later, when Houston's Ricardo Clark was called for a handball three yards from the goal after an attempted bicycle kick by Mike Magee. Landon Donovan calmly slipped what proved to be the game-winner low and to the left of Hall.

The LA Galaxy captain scored the lone goal in his team's win over the Dynamo in the 2011 final and became only the third player in league history to win five championships.

With the clock winding down, Robbie Keane was fouled in the box by Hall, who impeded forward's path to the goal with his right hand. The Ireland international converted the penalty effortlessly in the fourth minute of injury time, scoring his sixth goal in six 2012 playoff games.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena substituted Beckham in the 89th minute, giving the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star an opportunity to be on the receiving end of booming applause from the home supporters.

"I just hope people have enjoyed me playing here and watching me play for the Galaxy," said Beckham, whose next playing destination remains unknown. "It's what I always hope for when I step on the field, that people enjoy watching myself and watching the team I play for."