In what could be his final season with the Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham set up the first goal and then won a penalty to lead his team into the MLS Western Conference final with a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls on Thursday.

The 36-year-old midfielder, whose contract is nearly up, delivered the corner for Mike Magee to head in the equaliser in the 42nd minute. He was then shoved by New York defender Roy Miller in the penalty box, allowing Landon Donovan to score the winner from the spot in the 74th.

The Galaxy took a 1-0 lead into the game from the first leg, but that was wiped out when Luke Rodgers scored just four minutes into the match after a through ball by Thierry Henry.

“We started off badly. It wasn’t what we planned,” Beckham said. “The way we adjusted ourselves showed the character of this team.”

The Galaxy, who advanced to their third consecutive conference final, will face Real Salt Lake at home in the first leg on Sunday in a rematch of the 2009 MLS Cup.

Los Angeles are unbeaten at Home Depot Centre this season.

Beckham is yet to decide whether he will stay at the Galaxy after his contract ends, or take up an offer from Europe as he tries to win a place in Great Britain’s squad for the 2012 Olympics.

“I haven’t even thought about what’s next after this,” the former England captain said. “Right now, I’m just thinking about the moment and winning a championship.”

In Thursday’s other game, the Houston Dynamo moved into the Eastern Conference final with a 1-0 home victory over Philadelphia Union.

Brian Ching got the winner for Houston, heading home a free kick by Brad Davis in first-half stoppage time.

The Dynamo will meet Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference final. Houston is vying for its first MLS Cup since 2007, when the team won its second consecutive title.