Need to put in context Brazilian midfielder Juninho’s importance to the Galaxy?

This is an excellent illustration.

Also, the club points out they can clinch a playoff berth win a win Saturday against D.C. United combined with losses by both Kansas City and Chicago.

Although, at this stage, a playoff spot shouldn’t be in doubt.

Galaxy 3 Columbus Crew 1

Gratuitous Elvis Costello reference: Columbus Crew defender Shaun Francis didn’t look like an angel who wanted to wear David Beckham’s red shoes Saturday in Carson (AP Photos).

Game story

Was this the Galaxy’s best performance of the season?

Perhaps. But Edson Buddle, seen here out jumping Riverside’s Chad Marshall, suggested it might have been the most important:

“If we had lost the lead in the league it would have been a totally different atmosphere in the locker room,” he said. “It would have felt like things were slipping away.”

BTW, the best irony of the night? The LA Times has a piece Sunday about how Edson Buddle is off the boil. The MLS scoring leader promptly scored 13 minutes into the game.

What was the difference between this sterling performance and the underwhelming ones we’ve seen recently? There were theories aplenty.

Coach Bruce Arena suggested the missing ingredient was motivation.

“The challenge of playing a team of Columbus’ character obviously woke us up a little bit,” he said.

Or was it Beckham?

“It’s kind of remarkable he’s back on the field in such a short period of time,” Arena said. “It’s inspirational for the team.”

Or was it unsung hero Dema Kovalenko?

“Kovalenko did what he’s known for,” said Crew Coach Robert Warzycha. “He tackled everybody, he grabbed everybody and the ref let him do it. That was the difference.”

Or was it a determination not to play badly yet again?

“We’ve been disappointed with how we played and that more than anything pushed us tonight,” said Landon Donovan.

Or was it just a matter of guts (and other intangibles)?

“I’ve been telling you guys for the last few weeks we haven’t been competitive and tonight we were very competitive,” said Donovan “Most of the 50/50 plays we came on top of. We had more desire than they did and that makes a difference.”

Take your pick.

Take a look at the highlights:

Here’s Kovalenko’s reaction to his contribution that so enthralled Warzycha:

“It’s nice to hear, but that’s what I do, that’s why I’m here, that’s why Bruce and coaches have brought me in, to disrupt plays. I love games like that. I look forward to playing games like that. That’s what makes you better. That’s what makes you compete. That makes a difference y’know? My job today was to watch Schelotto because he’s the guy that can make a difference. I love that. I like (a) challenge. He said to me ‘it’s not a war.’ … And I said, ‘my friend, it’s a war.’ To me, it’s a war. He’s a good player. He makes a difference.”

Arena said the goal of Beckham’s continuing rehab was trying to get him playing 90 minutes by the end of the regular season.

So, the daftest question of the night came from an over-reaching English journalist who asked Beckham whether he would be fit enough for England’s Euro 2012 qualifier next month against Montenegro.

And, of course, it deserved a daft answer:

“I’ve always said I’ll always be available for England,” Beckham said. “And I’m sure the manager will consider me.”

I’m sure he won’t (thankfully).

Most unlikely locker room visitor (I wish I had taken my camera): former Galaxy defender Abel Xavier. He wore incredibly shiny black shoes, white jeans, a black cardigan over a white shirt and a black and white tie. Oh, and he had black and white hair.

Next for the Galaxy: D.C. United Saturday at Home Depot Center.

The Galaxy have been hyping a David Beckham appearance off the bench in this game on their official website all week.

Fox Soccer Channel analysts repeated this conventional wisdom today during MLS games despite a doubtful sounding Coach Bruce Arena on Thursday.

But I just learned from Galaxy officials that Becks is indeed on the bench.

While Beckham did not practice with the rest of the team Thursday after playing in a scrimmage the day before, he trained Friday, apparently overcoming Arena’s reservations.

Still, only a crowd of about 20,000 is expected today so it doesn’t appear the paying public was buying into Beckham playing.

The Galaxy will seek to avoid a third successive home loss – and their fourth in their last six games – in this critical encounter with the Eastern Conference-leading Crew. Arena will also want to put three points between his team and Real Salt Lake, who could only manage a 0-0 draw Thursday against Seattle.

I’ll be back with the lineups in a few minutes.

The Galaxy have made two changes to their starting lineup. Brazilian Juninho returns in midfield after missing the last two games to attend to issues back home, so Jovan Kirovski is moved up front in place of the dropped Tristan Bowen.

The Galaxy XI: Donovan Ricketts, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, Todd Dunivant, Landon Donovan, Juninho, Dema Kovalenko, Alex Cazumba, Edson Buddle, Jovan Kirovski.

Rookie Michael Stephens misses a second consecutive start after playing every game before that this season, but is on the bench, while Chris Birchall, Mike Magee and Eddie Lewis are other options Arena has available.

Here’s the Crew lineup: William Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Andy Iro, Chad Marshall, Shaun Francis, Dilly Duka, Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat, Eddie Gaven, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Steven Lenhart.

There’s no live TV for this one, so follow along here.

Updated

Edson Buddle saw his fourth-minute header from 12 yards out just tipped past the post by Crew goalkeeper Hesmer in the first real attacking chance for either side.

Updated

Edson Buddle scored his league-leading 14th goal of the season, tapping home a Sean Franklin cross from six yards out in the 13th minute. Landon Donovan was also credited with an assist on the play, his MLS-best 13th on the year.

The Galaxy haven’t lost a game this season when they have scored the first goal of a game.

Updated

The Galaxy went up by two in the 36th minute, Dema Kovalenko finishing a nice sequence of passes that started with Juninho on the left wing. The Brazilian passed to Kovalenko, who tapped the ball on to Donovan, who intelligently gave Kovalenko the ball back to finish from about 10 yards.

Halftime

Galaxy 2 Crew 0

The Galaxy played a disciplined, attractive opening 45 minutes, passing the ball around efficiently while the Crew were guilty of ball-watching on the goals.

The Crew’s best chance came after 20 minutes when Steven Lenhart beat Omar Gonzalez to the ball. Donovan Ricketts saved the defender’s blushes however, denying Lenhart in a one on one.

Each team has three shots on target.

Edson Buddle has come off at the half and replaced by Chris Birchall. We’re trying to find out why. We’re told it was a “precautionary move.” No other details available. It was due to cramping.

Updated

Jovan Kirovski has scored the Galaxy’s third from a far post header off an Alex Cazumba free kick in the 55th minute. Does that mean we’ll see Beckham?

Updated

Looks like the Crew are giving up on this one – Lenhart and Schelotto come off in the 63rd minute. The Galaxy meanwhile have one sub remaining. Hmmm.

Updated

Becks has his tracksuit off and his game jersey on in the 70th minute. He’s coming onto screams from the crowd in place of Juninho.

Updated

Becks got a yellow card for a tackle on Emmanuel Ekpo; he’s been on the field five minutes. (He also had a shot blocked by Chad Marshall).

Updated
The Crew have pulled one back in the 86th minute after Leonardo lazily allowed the ball to slip under his foot – and sub Andres Mendoza scored from the Brazilian’s assist Andy Iro’s pass

Final

Galaxy 3 Crew 1

Beckham was interviewed on the field after the game:

“It feels amazing (to play again),” he said. “Doing rehab is kind of tough. It’s good to be back on the field with the guys – it was a big game. I was itching to get on.”

More later.