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.
"The free kick was the first I've taken for eight weeks, so it was quite pleasing," he said. "I felt I was going to score as soon as I had the ball in my hands."
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.
"David makes a big difference in there, and it's not just the goal," Donovan said. "It was a big lift for everyone. We were all excited. It was nice."
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| David Beckham jumps for joy after scoring his first goal for his new team. (AP) |
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.
"The guy hadn't even taken a free kick in practice," Cannon said. "Think about what happens when he can start playing every day and start doing those things."
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.
"He hit it well, but I wasn't in a good spot, either, and he caught me," Perkins said. "When you get a player who can hit a ball to either side, you've got to keep to one side and make him beat you."
