Beckham provides thrills, not victory
David Beckham made his first Major League Soccer start, Giants Stadium filled back up for soccer, and the Galaxy and Red Bulls filled the net at a near-record pace.
Bringing back memories of the days Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, and Giorgio Chinaglia brought excitement to soccer in the United States more than 25 years ago, Beckham drew 66,237 and helped set up three goals as Los Angeles lost a wild one, 5-4, to New York last night.
It was the 10th time in MLS history teams combined for nine or more goals and just two shy of the record set when Los Angeles beat Columbus, 7-4, May 6, 1998.
Beckham set up a pair of goals by Carlos Pavon in the first eight minutes. But the Red Bulls rallied for a win when Juan Pablo Angel scored his second goal of the game in the 88th minute.
The Red Bulls' average of 11,573 for their first 10 matches at Giants Stadium was next to last in the league. The crowd that came out was the largest in franchise history and the largest there for a US league game since the Cosmos drew 70,312 against Fort Lauderdale June 22, 1980.
"It makes you feel great. It makes you feel honored," Beckham said. "And hopefully, it continues, because this is what this league needs, this is what this sport needs in America."
Fans even showed some support for the home team, many booing Beckham when he took a free kick midway through the second half. But they cheered as he walked -- shirtless -- off the field after the match.
Beckham played his first full game since joining the Galaxy last month and did it on artificial turf, no less. An injured left ankle had caused the 32-year-old midfielder to miss five games and come in as a late sub in two others. He made his first start Wednesday, playing 63 minutes in a SuperLiga match.
He limped at the end and his ankle was swollen, but he hopes to make his 97th appearance for host England in an exhibition against Germany Wednesday night, then play eight time zones away Thursday night for the Galaxy against Chivas USA in Carson, Calif.
Jozy Altidore, a 17-year-old whose play should soon get him a call-up to the US national team, scored a pair of second-half goals for the Red Bulls, raising his season total to seven.
Clint Mathis had a first-half goal for New York.
With the Galaxy trailing, 4-2, Landon Donovan scored in the 71st minute and Edson Buddle got the tying goal in the 82d after Beckham's corner kick was headed off a post by Kyle Veris.
D.C. United 2, Crew 0 -- Luciano Emilio scored his league-leading 14th goal and fellow Brazilian Fred also scored as D.C. United won at Columbus to remain tied with the Red Bulls, 3 points behind the Eastern Conference-leading Revolution.
Chivas USA 2, Toronto FC 0 -- Maykel Galindo and Sacha Kljestan scored to help visiting Chivas USA extend Toronto FC's winless streak to seven games (0-4-3).
Toronto's scoreless run is at 552 minutes; Real Salt Lake went an MLS-record 557 minutes without a goal in 2005.
Fire 2, Real Salt Lake 0 -- Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored his first MLS goal and assisted on Paulo Wanchope's first as visiting Chicago beat Real Salt Lake.
