The MLS Cup dreams of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and the league's most famous club didn't just drift away on Sunday night, they were blasted into orbit by an FC Dallas side short on celebrity but packed with passion, writes Martin Rogers, who points out that FC Dallas attackers Brek Shea and David Ferreira earn just five percent of star L.A. duo’s combined salaries, yet they were the ones who dominated the game.

"Is there something more important that superstars – absolutely,” Dallas midfielder Dax McCarthy said. “We don’t have any designated players but we brought in the right guys and we were not afraid of L.A. We are not afraid of anybody.”

Shea’s power and indefatigable running struck fear into the home defense, while Ferreira, a leading contender for the season MVP award, made everything tick with a series of clever passes.

“We have not excuses,” said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. “We were outplayed and outcoached and Dallas deserved their victory. We were beaten on most match-ups across the field.”