With the Kansas goalkeeper having marauded forward in search of a late equaliser, Beckham launched a shot from his own half to confirm victory for Galaxy.

The goal was reminiscent of the one Beckham scored for Manchester United at Wimbledon in September 1996 - the strike that catapulted him into the limelight.

The former England captain's club-mate Landon Donovan was also flying out to London to join the US squad - England's opponents on Wednesday.