Donovan rift is a blessing in disguise, says Beckham

David Beckham believes friction with Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan this summer helped unify the Major League Soccer outfit.

David Beckham believes friction with Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan this summer helped unify the Major League Soccer outfit.

LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan

Beckham and the Galaxy face Real Salt Lake in Seattle on Sunday in the MLS Cup final, which will determine the 2009 league champions.

A book entitled "The Beckham Experiment" was published exposing rifts between him and team captain Donovan, who questioned the Englishman's commitment to the Galaxy. But since then the 34-year-old has mended his relationship with Donovan and helped turn his team from last-place finishers in 2008 to Western Conference champions.

Beckham refused to make an issue, instead saying the friction with Donovan had been beneficial. "There's nothing wrong with a bit of controversy in a club. It brings players and teams together and it's done that."

"I don't have to say anything about myself, I'll leave that to other people to decide," Beckham told ESPN.