The Galaxy needed a win at Chicago Fire last night to claim a place in the MLS play-offs, having gone on a seven-game unbeaten streak to come back from a seemingly hopeless position.

But former Manchester United trainee John Thorrington scored a 93rd-minute goal for the hosts as they won 1-0 to take the final play-off berth.

The result ends the Galaxy's season, and leaves Beckham facing a long winter before the new campaign gets under way next April.

"I'm a person that likes to train and work every day," said Beckham, who will hope to be involved in England's final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on November 21.

"That's the way it's been through my whole career for the last 15 years. I've never had more than three weeks off in the summer.

"I'm not going to know what to do with myself. I'll be keeping on training and keeping fit no matter what."

The Galaxy and Beckham's own representatives have repeatedly ruled out any possibility of Beckham playing anywhere else before the new MLS season starts, and there is at least the prospect of friendlies arranged in New Zealand and Australia for Beckham to look forward to.

He missed out on most of the Galaxy's run, having only returned on Thursday from a seven-week absence with a knee injury.

It has been a frustrating first season in MLS for Beckham, who missed all but a handful of games with a series of ankle and knee problems.

Beckham was one of several players on the Galaxy's injury list, and a string of dire results that coincided with his arrival ultimately cost them a place in the playoffs.

"We had a good run but obviously early season is what's affected us more than anything," said Beckham.

"We have to win more games throughout the season instead of relying on the last five or six games to come back into it.

"But we've ended the season sort of on a high - apart from this game - and we have to be positive about next season."

Beckham was a 58th-minute substitute in this game as he remains short of full fitness. He had one chance to put the Galaxy ahead with a trademark free-kick with a minute remaining in normal time, but missed the target.

Galaxy coach Frank Yallop was pleased with Beckham's performance under the circumstances.

"We spoke before the game," said Yallop. "He looked tired before the end of this game and he only played 32 minutes.

"It's tough not being in a game for seven weeks. Once he got into the game, he made some good passes.

"His free kicks are always dangerous. A good off-season and he will be really good next season."