Beckham scores in first start for Galaxy

[PeteC]

By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer Thu Aug 16, 12:54 AM ET

CARSON, Calif. - It was a night of firsts for David Beckham. The English superstar started his first game for the Galaxy, scored his first goal on a free kick in the 27th minute and Los Angeles beat D.C. United 2-0 in the SuperLiga semifinals.

Beckham also notched his first assist on the Galaxy's second goal. He sent a long pass to a streaking Landon Donovan, who scored on a breakaway in the 47th minute for a 2-0 lead.

The Galaxy advanced to the Aug. 29 tournament final in Carson against Mexican club team Pachuca, which tied Houston 2-2, but won 4-3 on penalty kicks.

The winning team earns $1 million, which the Galaxy could put toward paying Beckham's $6.5 million yearly salary.

Beckham also earned his first yellow card after fouling United's Jaime Moreno in the 18th minute. Beckham got fouled once in the first half, when he also took two corner kicks.

Fans cheered and women screamed as Beckham prepared to take a 26-yard free kick. After he connected inside the left post, he was mobbed by teammates. Goalkeeper Joe Cannon even scampered across more than half the field to join the celebration.

Beckham waved to the crowd a couple times while blue, gold and white confetti fluttered through the air, reminiscent of the scene when he was introduced amid much fanfare July 13.

He was stopped on a 28-yard free kick in the 58th minute, when United goalkeeper Troy Perkins leaped to the left and caught the ball.

In all, Beckham played 63 minutes. He clapped his hands above his head while turning in a circle to acknowledge the cheers before putting the captain's armband on Donovan and heading to the bench.

Beckham had played just 37 minutes in two previous games because of a nagging left ankle injury that didn't allow him to practice with the Galaxy for the first time until Tuesday.

The victory avenged the Galaxy's 1-0 loss to United last week in Major League Soccer action, when Beckham made his league debut on the road.

He was named captain for Wednesday's match, a title previously held by Donovan. Beckham actively urged on his teammates, talking to them and waving his arms during play.

As the halftime whistle blew, Beckham bent over and adjusted his socks, then stood up, a broad smile on his face as he waved and walked off the field.

The game, which wasn't part of the Galaxy season ticket package, attracted an announced crowd of 17,223 in the 27,000-capacity stadium.

Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones, who is returning from a hip injury, entered in the 71st minute. The team was without defender Ante Jazic, midfielder Kelly Gray and forward Alan Gordon, who were all suspended after receiving yellow cards in each of their two previous SuperLiga games.

[BaaBaa.]

Who gives a shit.

Im sick of hearing about Beckham,I thought We'd hear a bit less about him now he's gone into semi retirement.

[PeteC]

Does "miserable old git" ring a bell? Pete

[BaaBaa.]

Well alot of people scored last night in a decent league but I have to hear about Beckham scoring a freekick in the equivalent of our league 2.



(That would be 3 places under the premier league Pete, not 1 as the name may suggest)

[lomuamart]

I'll try and stay out of this one.
However, the goal was a classic. I've seen it on Thai telly 30 minutes ago.
The goalkeeper didn't even move - a bit like Newcastle, Pete.

[lomuamart]

I'll try and stay out of this one.
However, the goal was a classic. I've saw it on Thai telly 30 minutes ago.
The goalkeeper didn't even move - a bit like Newcastle, Pete.

[lomuamart]

I've done it again. (Trying to edit myself , that is).
Bedtime!!!!

[The understudy]

Whazzup Y'all

I've told my Sister in California to get me a L. A. Galaxy Beckham Football Jersey. I Hop she will get one for me.

[BaaBaa.]

Whazzup Y'all

I've told my Sister in California to get me a L. A. Galaxy Beckham Football Jersey. I Hop she will get one for me.

Oh Dear. WHY?

Beckhams job is done.

[BaaBaa.]

I'll try and stay out of this one.
However, the goal was a classic.

Not a patch on Stevie Gerrards against Villa though.

[caller]

Good luck to Goldenballs!

Sounds like it was a great night.

Love the report provided by Pete - the different terminoligy(?).

And Cobi Jones is still around - another very good player in his day.

Good luck to Becks, he usually silences his critics.

[BaaBaa.]

Good luck to Goldenballs!

Sounds like it was a great night.

Love the report provided by Pete - the different terminoligy(?).

And Cobi Jones is still around - another very good player in his day.

Good luck to Becks, he usually silences his critics.

I rate Becks. Always has been a good player.

The coverage is beyond a joke though.

Robbie Fowler for example will get hardly any coverage in a far superior (English) league, fair enough, but I have to sit and watch the Beckham hype machine every night on sky sports news.

No real English football fan cares about the crappy American "soccer" league.

I wish he'd stayed at Real much longer, playing competitive football, before this premature retirement.

[caller]

Don't watch sky sports news! You're the one!

Robbie Fowler should have played in Oz, a once truly great player, injuries caught up with him a good few years ago, that's why he left L'pool.

Is he at Cardiff now?

[redzonerocker]

i have to agree with baabaa, i was hoping he was out of sight, out of mind.
although, if he does happen to be on tv i have to switch over.
he is far to much of a poser/attention seeker for my liking, along with his awful other half!
as for his footballing ability, a very good player, great freekick specialist & great passing game. but, he can't tackle, he's useless in the air & cant dribble past players.so i would hardly call him world class, maybe he is in the usa league though?

[chelsea]

Robbie Fowler should have played in Oz, a once truly great player, injuries caught up with him a good few years ago, that's why he left L'pool.

Is he at Cardiff now?

Yes Caller he is. From what I can make out, he was close to signing, but Sydney could not afford the wages within the Salary Cap constraints the teams are under here.
Sydney have now signed Juhinio (ex Boro), personally I think they did better with him that getting Fowler.
If I had the choice of a year in the sun in Sydney or playing for Cardiff, I know which one I would choose.

Beckham's goal was similar to the one he scored against Greece to put us in the Euro finals.
Whatever anyone say about him, you cannot deny the skill, class and determination to proove his knockers wrong about what he does.
I wish England had a few more players with his attitude, and we may win something again one day.