Landon Donovan has praised David Beckham for being "a man" and committing himself to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Landon Donovan has praised David Beckham for being "a man" and committing himself to the Los Angeles Galaxy following his controversial loan move to AC Milan.

Donovan was highly critical of Beckham in a book published earlier this year, questioning the Englishman's commitment to Major League Soccer and the Galaxy in particular after he negotiated an extension to his loan spell in Italy rather than return to the United States for the start of the 2009 season.

When Beckham did return in mid-July, he was greeted with boos from some Galaxy supporters and the two players exchanged further words via media that looked to widen their rift rather than heal it.

Four months later, the Galaxy are on the brink of the league title, having reached the end of season play-offs for the first time since Beckham joined in mid-2007.

Donovan, 27, will lead the Los Angeles side out tomorrow night in front of at least 40,000 fans at Seattle's Qwest Field where they will face Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final and the United States striker credited Beckham's contribution to getting the team there.

At a press conference and with Beckham sitting next to him, Donovan was asked what had helped turn the Galaxy round from having the worst record in MLS in 2008 to reaching the final 13 months later.

"There are a few points that stand out to me," Donovan said.

"One was having Bruce (Arena) come in (as head coach) and just create stability which we hadn't had for a while.

"And candidly, the second was David's reaction to everything that's gone on.

"Life is about choices. He could have come in and chosen to be something different than he has been.

"He chose to be a man and want this team to be successful.

"Without him, we're not where we are. We can cut it any way we want but that's the reality of it. He's been tremendous."

Donovan, who earlier this week was named the league's Most Valuable Player, said Beckham's attitude this season had been pivotal in helping the team succeed.

"You don't see what goes on every day," he said. "You see what happens when the lights come on on Saturday nights.

"I think from that standpoint, you see how helpful David has been.

"But what we see every day in the locker room, on the road, when we travel, has been tremendous.

"When your most talented player or players are doing that on your team, then everyone else follows."

Donovan also revealed that the Englishman, who will receive a painkilling injection before the game to allow him to overcome bone bruising on his right ankle, had been playing in pain for several weeks.

"The other thing you don't see is this guy has been playing hurt or sick for probably the last six or seven games," he said.

"You don't read about it or hear it but he gets on with it and he plays. That's helped our team a lot."

Beckham, 34, was happy to return the praise.

"I think what you see is what you get with Landon," Beckham said. "He's an exceptional talent and he deserves the MVP.

"He works great throughout the week; he's a player that players respect and look up to.

"I think that's important when you've got a captain like that and when you've got an MVP player in your team, you look to them for advice, you look to them for how you play on the field and how they conduct themselves, whether it's in the locker room, on the field or whether it's just out for dinner.

"He's a perfect example for that."

Beckham also praised the rest of the Galaxy squad ahead of the club's first MLS Cup final since 2005 and following two seasons of turmoil which has seen coaches Frank Yallop and then Ruud Gullit fired before Arena brought stability.

"We've come together this season and it's not just about what me and Landon have done," he said. "We're here in the MLS Cup final because of the unity we've got in the team.

"We've got good players throughout our team that have performed well throughout and a manager like Bruce Arena. It's a good mix.

"But I can't speak any higher of Landon, he's been exceptional all season."