Soccer Roundup: Liverpool prevails in FA Cup final

CARDIFF, Wales — Steven Gerrard scored two goals and connected on a shootout kick to lead Liverpool to victory over West Ham for a seventh FA Cup title, showing why he could be one of England's key players at next month's World Cup.

The Liverpool captain already had set up a goal for Djibril Cisse and scored once when he made the score 3-3 and sent the match into extra time. After a scoreless extra period, Liverpool won the shootout 3-1 before 71,140 fans at the Millennium Stadium.

Liverpool trailed 2-0 and 3-2 in the 125th final until Gerrard's 30-yard shot in injury time dashed the Hammers' hopes of a first FA Cup win in 26 years.

Gerrard lifted the famous trophy, adding it to last season's UEFA Champions League title — when his goal started Liverpool's comeback from 3-0 down at halftime against AC Milan of Italy.

"It's very special, the supporters are fantastic and West Ham were brilliant today, but we had the never-say-die attitude," Gerrard said. "We felt our best chance was penalties, because we had no energy left."

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said his team gave him some scary moments.

"We like to do the difficult things, but it's not best for the heart," Benitez said.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew said, "We were up against a team packed with internationals, with players who have won medals and have huge reputations. We put all that aside and almost pulled it off. I told the players that perhaps they have been part of one of the great finals ever, and they can take great dignity and pride from their performance."

Major League Soccer

Dynamo 1, at FC Dallas 1

Clarence Goodson's own goal in the 81st minute allowed Houston (4-2-1) to get a draw with Western Conference-leading FC Dallas (4-1-3).

Carlos Ruiz scored in the 19th minute for FC Dallas.

Brian Ching, a former Gonzaga and Seattle Sounders standout who entered the weekend leading MLS in goals, didn't play for Houston because he is with the national team preparing for the World Cup in Germany.

At D.C. United 2, Wizards 1

Jaime Moreno converted a first-half penalty kick to help D.C. United (4-1-2) beat Kansas City (4-2-1) and take first place in the Eastern Conference.

At Crew 1, Rapids 0

Ned Grabavoy, acquired from Los Angeles in a trade, scored in his first game with Columbus to give the Crew (3-3-1) a victory over Colorado (2-3-1).

At Revolution 3, Chivas USA 1

Shalrie Joseph and Taylor Twellman scored second-half goals as New England (3-2-1) beat Chivas USA (1-3-1) in a match played at times in a driving rain.

At Red Bulls 1, Fire 1

Diego Gutierrez scored on a penalty kick in the 68th minute to give Chicago (1-1-4) a draw with New York (0-1-5).

Real Salt Lake 3, at Galaxy 0

Jeff Cunningham scored twice and goalkeeper Scott Garlick made eight saves to lead Real Salt Lake (1-5-1) over Los Angeles (2-5-1).

Real Salt Lake ended its league-record winless streak at 18 matches. The team's previous victory was in August.

Note

• Premier League runner-up Hearts, based in Edinburgh, beat third-tier Gretna FC 4-2 on penalties after they played to a 1-1 draw in Glasgow to win the Scottish Cup for the first time in eight years.