By Simon Evans

SEATTLE - Real Salt Lake won their first Major League Soccer championship on Sunday with a penalty shootout victory over David Beckham's L.A Galaxy after the title game had ended in a 1-1 stalemate following extra time.

Beckham scored his penalty but Galaxy captain Landon Donovan was among those to miss as Salt Lake won the shootout 5-4 to capture a surprise victory just four years after entering the league.

Galaxy took the lead four minutes before the break through Mike Magee, who turned in a low cross from Donovan after good work from Beckham, but Salt Lake equalised in the 64th minute when Robbie Findley blasted in from close range.

After a scoreless extra-time, the shootout went into sudden-death and the Galaxy's Edson Buddle had his shot saved by Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando before Robbie Russell slotted home to secure the championship.

The scrappy game featured a number of injuries and ended with both teams looking exhausted as a limping Beckham, who played with bruised ankle, struggled through the extra-time period.

The England midfielder was involved an early incident when his challenge on Salt Lake's Argentine playmaker Javier Morales left the player needing to be substituted.

Rimando continued his fine record in shootouts, adding to his three penalty blocks in the Conference final win over the Chicago Fire with a further two saves on Sunday.