SoCal MLS Capsule

FC DALLAS 4, LA GALAXY 0

FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) -- After going winless in MLS play since mid-June, FC Dallas finally decided enough was enough. Kenny Cooper scored twice in the first 17 minutes, Dominic Oduro scored his fifth goal of the season and Abe Thompson came off the bench to add another tally as FC Dallas blasted the Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-0, at Pizza Hut Park.

A smothering defensive effort kept the Galaxy - the top-scoring team in MLS - to just two shots on goal, both of which goalkeeper Dario Sala turned away to hand the Galaxy just their third blank sheet of the season. The victory by FC Dallas (5-6-7), in addition to giving new coach Schellas Hyndman his first MLS win, avenged a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Galaxy (6-7-5) on May 18, a result that cost his predecessor - Steve Morrow - his job.

Cooper's first goal came in the 15th minute when he sent a left-footed blast past Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin and into the right corner of the goal from 22 yards to the left of the arc. Two minutes later, Cooper added his second goal, taking a short set-up from Oduro and ripping a right-footed shot just inside the left post to make it 2-0. It was Cooper's 11th goal of the season, moving him into a tie for second place with the Galaxy's Edson Buddle among the league leaders, one behind Los Angeles' Landon Donovan.

In the 36th minute, Oduro took a midfield pass from Arturo Alvarez, dribbled down the right flank, maneuvered past Cronin and drilled a shot from outside the right post into the left corner of the goal to give FC Dallas a 3-0 advantage. It was the first time since May 20, 2006, against the New England Revolution that FC Dallas had recorded three goals in the first half.

For good measure, Thompson capped the scoring in the 89th minute with a right-footed kick that snuck just under the right crossbar past Cronin, who posted seven saves in the contest.

MLS Stars Beat West Ham United

MLS ALL-STARS 3, WEST HAM UNITED 2

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Major League Soccer players extended their unbeaten All-Star Game record with a 3-2 victory over England's West Ham United at BMO Field. The MLS All-Stars, driven by impressive first-half goals from Argentine Christian Gomez and Mexico's Cuauhtemoc Blanco and a second-half tally by Canada's Dwayne De Rosario on a penalty kick, turned on the style in front of a stadium-record sellout crowd of 20,844. Striker Dean Ashton netted both goals for West Ham United.

The MLS All-Stars continued the winning run of victories of overseas opposition since the introduction of the format in 2003, with West Ham joining Guadalajara, Fulham, Chelsea and Celtic as losing sides. MLS coach Steve Nicol started with England star David Beckham on the right and Blanco up front alongside Kenny Cooper. Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel served as the striking options on the bench. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley deployed 19-year-old Joe Widdowson at left back, handing the teenager the job of marking Beckham. Matthew Etherington was at midfield after missing last Sunday's 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew.

The Hammers opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when Ashton ran onto a through ball from striking partner Carlton Cole before rifling home a right-footed shot from the right side of the area. West Ham's lead lasted less than a minute, however, as the All-Stars hit straight back. Beckham played the ball to Blanco, who back-heeled it into the path of Gomez for a right-footer that beat goalkeeper Robert Green. The English side had to play second fiddle for the rest of the opening half as the MLS midfield of Beckham, Blanco, Gomez and Juan Toja took control.

Gomez missed a perfect chance for a second tally in the 32nd minute, when Beckham cut the ball back to him from the right only to have the Colorado Rapids midfielder miss high and wide. Two minutes later, it was Blanco's turn to create, crossing low from the left to Cooper at the far post. But FC Dallas' striker sent a stooping header wide. Beckham had his first free-kick opportunity in the 39th minute, when Blanco was fouled 25 yards away from the net. The England star curled his kick around the wall, only to see his effort headed clear by Hammers captain Lucas Neill. Blanco gave the All-Stars the lead they deserved a minute before halftime. The Mexican received a short pass from Toja, cut inside from the left and then curled a right-footed shot through a maze of players and around Green at the far post. It was Blanco's last contribution as Nicol took him, as well as Cooper, out of the action at halftime.

Donovan and Angel came on in their place, while West Ham brought on Luis Boa Morte at the expense of Etherington. The substitution the Toronto fans were baying for, however, was the introduction of club captain Jim Brennan, a native of Canada. That came on the hour as Nicol withdrew Toja and Gomez for the Canadian duo of Brennan, a defender, and midfielder De Rosario. Within three minutes of the switch, Beckham had two chances to extend the MLS' lead. Unmarked, he received a cross from the left from Jonathan Bornstein but drove the ball back across goal and wide of the far post.

Later, he sent a curling 20-yard free kick into the side netting. West Ham drew even against the run of play when Ashton sent in a 67th-minute shot from 20 yards out that appeared to deflect off a defender's head. But again, the MLS All-Stars hit straight back. De Rosario was brought down in the box by Neill in the 70th minute. The Houston Dynamos midfielder took the penalty kick himself, smashing the ball home off the crossbar for a 3-2 lead. The advantage nearly was doubled a minute later, when former Aston Villa striker Angel found the net. But the goal was disallowed as offsides was called.

SoCal MLS Capsule

LOS ANGELES 2, NEW YORK 2

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Galaxy captain David Beckham praised the character of his team for their late comeback to avoid defeat against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. Landon Donovan rescued a point and nearly grabbed a winner for the Galaxy in a 2-2 tie at Giants Stadium, his cross in the 92nd minute from the left drifting into the far corner of the goal after L.A. striker Edson Buddle and the Red Bulls defense all missed the centering pass.

Until that point the Red Bulls had looked set to steal the show from visiting superstar Beckham and his teammates for the second year in a row after a great individual second-half goal from Red Bulls captain Juan Pablo Angel gave the home side a 2-1 lead. With Venezuelan international midfielder Jorge Rojas pulling the strings on his debut with flashes of creativity, the Red Bulls had looked in control heading into injury time but the Galaxy, to Beckham's delight, did not give up the chase for an equalizer. "There were chances for both teams but we showed a lot of character," Beckham said. "We were disappointed to go in 1-1 at halftime because they scored through our sloppy play. "Then we came out second half, they got a goal but we kept on battling and we didn't look as if we were going to get a goal but we did in the end. It showed the character in the team, especially when we're not playing as well as we can, to come back. So overall, maybe a draw was fair tonight."

In front of an Major League Soccer season high 46,754 fans, and 12 months after the home side had edged the same visitors 5-4, the Galaxy hit back in the 92nd minute when Donovan curled in a right-footed cross from the left that missed numerous heads, including Buddle's, and carried all the way into the corner of the net. "It was a cross, of course," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. "But he kicked it so well, if Edson had touched it, it would have gone in as well. So the keeper didn't know what to do. Just the quality of the play itself made it difficult for the goalkeeper." At 2-2, the visitors sensed victory and very nearly snatched it when Beckham sent in a cross from the right that found Donovan at the back post. Donovan ripped a left-footed shot that hit the foot of the Red Bulls upright in the waning moments of the match.

With both the best offense and the worst defense in MLS, the Galaxy drew first blood in the 28th minute, when Beckham, from close to the center circle, picked out Buddle on the left with a great pass. Buddle advanced into the Red Bulls penalty area, twisting and turning van den Bergh and then crossing for Carlos Ruiz to head home from inside the six-yard box. The goal opened up the game considerably and the Red Bulls response came six minutes later, van den Bergh making amends for being dumped by Buddle. The midfielder picked up a delightful pass which Rojas sent from left to right behind his standing leg, and hammered the ball past the diving Cronin's outstretched right hand and into the bottom corner of the goal. Los Angeles came right back with Klein overlapping Beckham down the right and crossing for Donovan to volley left-footed from the back post over the bar. Van den Bergh continued the New York momentum in the second half, firing a shot from the left that forced Cronin to tip over the bar in the 55th minute and then crossing three minutes later only for Seth Stammler to fire over from point-blank range.

Again the Red Bulls atoned, and in some style as Angel received the ball from Rojas in the 71st minute and produced some brilliant footwork to round two Galaxy defenders. He cut in from the left and then curled the ball home with the outside of his boot and give the home side the lead. It should have been enough, but Donovan and the Galaxy had other ideas. "It's a very disappointed locker room," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "I think we created enough chances to win the game and the next one but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I'm optimistic, though, because there was good play at times, but we need to keep improving. Only time will tell if it's okay to get one point out of a game we should have won."

Beckham Calls Move to MLS A Success

By Simon Lewis
Contributing Writer


EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- David Beckham has declared his transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy a success. But the British sports icon feels that Major League Soccer has much to do before it becomes a force in world soccer. One year and a day after Beckham marked his first start for the Galaxy with a trademark free-kick goal against D.C. United, the midfielder said he was enjoying life in the MLS following an injury-plagued opening season in 2007.

Beckham, 33, joined the Galaxy from Real Madrid last July, after signing a five-year contract worth $250 million the previous January. He has scored five goals and recorded seven assists in 16 games approaching the midway point of the 2008 campaign. Beckham's star appeal has already seen ticket sales reach more than 45,000 at Giants Stadium for Saturday night's clash with the New York Red Bulls, further proof that he is continuing to be a big hit in the United States.

"Soccer's definitely changing in this country and it's getting bigger and it's growing, but it's going to take time," Beckham said Friday before training. "I said that at the start - it's not just going to happen in a year or two. It's a long-term plan to raise the profile of the game in the country, and it's going well so far." Beckham was asked if he was playing a crucial part in that plan. "I'd like to think so," he said. "It's one of the reasons why I moved here, to be a part of growing the game here and hopefully people are seeing the changes. "The attendances are up 20 percent, shirt sales are up 780 percent, so I heard, so it's going well. "That's obviously what the game needs in this country, the hype's there and it's just about keeping it going."

Beckham reiterated his point that it will take more than a quick fix to both raise the standard of play and attract other big names to MLS in order to transform it into a league comparable with those in more established soccer countries. "It's going to take longer than a year to happen, but this league and the teams in it will start attracting players from Europe," he said. "On the other side, you see Jozy Altidore go to Villareal (from the Red Bulls), and so if you're a good player in this league, you're going to have a chance to play in other big leagues in the world, in Europe. "There are a lot of people putting a lot of money into this league and trying to grow it, and in the next few years you going to see that emergence. I've always said that the level here is a lot higher than people actually think it is. I've been here a year now and seen some of the talented players and teams that are in this league."

2009 MLS All-Star Game Goes to Utah

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that Real Salt Lake Stadium will be the site of the 2009 All-Star Game. The new 20,000-seat stadium in Sandy, Utah, is expected to open in October. The 2009 showcase will mark the sixth time MLS All-Stars will take on a high-profile international club.

"When we broke ground on that fateful August day in 2006, we knew that this stadium would bring spectacular events to this community, and I cannot think of another event that exemplifies that idea more than this one," Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts said. "The eyes of the world will focus on the majestic Wasatch Mountains and stare in wide wonder." The date and opponent for the 2009 game will be announced by early next year. "We are excited to bring the 2009 MLS All-Star Game to Utah and Major League Soccer's newest world-class venue," MLS president Mark Abbott said.

The All-Star Game continues the list of high-profile soccer matches in Utah over the past few years, which include a 2006 World Cup qualifier between the United States and Costa Rica and exhibition matches featuring clubs such as Real Madrid, Boca Juniors and Everton.

SoCal MLS Capsule

NEW ENGLAND 2, LOS ANGELES 1

CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Adam Cristman scored two goals as the New England Revolution held on for a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Cristman opened the scoring with an unassisted tally in the 33rd minute and then doubled the advantage four minutes later with his sixth goal of the season to give the Revolution a 2-0 advantage. David Beckham halved the deficit in the 66th minute as the British superstar blasted a shot from the top of the box which deflected off a New England defender before sailing past goalkeeper Matt Reis for his fifth goal of the campaign. With the win, New England (10-4-3) increased its lead in the Eastern Conference standings to seven points over the second-place Columbus Crew (8-4-2).

DC UNITED 4, LOS ANGELES 1

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - The motion of Moreno and control of Emilio trumped bending it like Beckham and the emotion of Landon Donovan in D.C. United's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Luciano Emilio had two goals and an assist and Jaime Moreno added a goal and an assist to lead D.C. United to an emotional triumph in a chippy match played before 35,979 at muggy RFK Stadium.

Marcelo Gallardo scored off assists from Emilio and Gonzalo Martinez to give D.C. United a 3-1 lead in the 60th minute. Emilio's second goal of the game - his team-leading 10th of the season - off an assist by Fred gave D.C. United a 4-1 lead in the 68th minute. Emilio also headed home a crossing pass from the left wing by Marc Burch for a goal in the 37th minute that gave D.C. United a 2-1 lead. Emilio's header beat sprawling Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin to the left corner of the net.

Moreno notched his team-high seventh assist of the season on the play. Galaxy forward Edson Buddle's 10th goal of the season tied the score at 1-1 in the 26th minute. Buddle slipped between hard-closing defenders Bryan Namoff and Devon McTavish, changed directions, and launched a shot past diving D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells, who charged from the goal to challenge the shot.

Moreno's goal came on a penalty kick in the fifth minute. The foul was committed by Galaxy midfielder Ante Jazic, who pushed Santino Quaranta to the turf from behind.

SoCal MLS Capsule

CHIVAS 1, NEW YORK 1

CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Ante Razov scored during first-half stoppage time Saturday to rally Chivas USA to a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls at The Home Depot Center. Dave Van den Bergh scored in the 26th minute on a free kick for the Red Bulls (5-4-5). The midfielder launched a shot into the box which deflected off the shoulder of Chivas USA midfielder Carey Talley and past goalkeeper Brad Guzan. It was Van den Bergh's fourth goal of the season. Razov leveled the contest for Chivas USA (5-6-3) after cleaning up a Red Bulls' miscue in their own end. With time winding down in the half, the Red Bulls turned the ball over, causing goalkeeper Jon Conway to attempt to play the ball. Razov gained possession and alertly fired a shot into the vacant net for his second goal of the season and 111th of his career.

SoCal MLS Capsule

REAL SALT LAKE 1, CHIVAS USA 0

CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Robbie Findley scored the game's lone goal as Real Salt Lake posted a 1-0 triumph over Chivas USA on Saturday. Nick Rimando made four saves en route to his third shutout of the season for Real (4-5-3), which beat Chivas (4-6-2) on the road for the first time in franchise history. Findley notched his third goal this season in the 34th minute when he tucked a left-footed shot past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who came out to challenge but ended up sliding out of position. Chivas had multiple chances to level the contest in the second half, but Rimando was up to the challenge. Ante Razov fired a shot to the low left corner between a wall of Real defenders on a free kick in the 56th minute and Rimando made a diving stop to preserve the lead. Rimando, who now has 46 career blankings, also denied Justin Braun's breakaway attempt in the 63rd minute. Braun was all alone but rushed his shot and Rimando made the save easily.

SoCal MLS Preview

NY RED BULLS 1, CHIVAS 0

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- New York Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos does not think the team can immediately replace a player like the soon-departing Jozy Altidore. But Juan Pablo Angel did his part for the time being. Angel headed home a ball from Dane Richards in the 75th minute to lift the Red Bulls past Chivas USA, 1-0, on Thursday night.

In putting an end to Chivas' three-match winning streak, the Red Bulls triumphed for the first time since their 2-1 victory at Los Angeles on May 10. Although Angel provided the heroics, it was defender Jeff Parke and New York's back line that frustrated one of the league's top scoring teams. Chivas experienced difficulty in penetrating the Red Bulls' defense, and when it did, veteran goalkeeper Jon Conway was there to smother every shot - including a left-footer from 15 yards out by Atiba Harris in the 82nd minute.

SoCal MLS Capsule

TORONTO FC 2, LOS ANGELES 0 ---------------------------

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Rookie Julius James scored his first career goal early in the second half and Jeff Cunningham added a second 16 minutes later as Toronto FC blanked the Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-0, at BMO Field.

Making his MLS debut, James scored on a header to break the scoreless tie in the 49th minute for Toronto, which improved to 4-0-2 at home this season. They have allowed just one goal through their six home games. Los Angeles was outshot, 12-4, and could only record one shot on goal, failing to create opportunities for itself without leading goal-scorer Landon Donovan and midfielder David Beckham due to international team duties. Donovan had returned to the club after playing for the United States on Wednesday but did not play, while Beckham remained in England for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

After neither team could manage any real scoring chances during the game's first 45 minutes, Toronto came out after halftime and immediately seized control. Awarded a free kick along the left sideline, Toronto midfielder Rohan Ricketts served a perfect ball into the middle of the box, where James rose up and headed a shot past Los Angeles goalkeeper Steve Cronin into the lower right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Cunningham doubled the advantage for Toronto with his second goal of the season in the 65th minute, breaking in alone from 18 yards out and sliding the ball into the lower right corner. Toronto narrowly missed a third goal when Jarrod Smith's shot sailed just wide of the net after walking in alone from 25 yards out.

The Galaxy were whistled for seven offsides and received their only corner kick in the 86th minute. Toronto held a 9-2 advantage in shots during the second half. Toronto goalkeeper Brian Edwards had to make just one save to record his first career shutout.

MLS & Barcelona Reach Agreement

NEW YORK (Ticker) - European soccer giant Barcelona signed a five-year strategic partnership with Major League Soccer, the league announced Thursday. The two-time Champions League winners from Spain are the first European club to enter into such an agreement with MLS and its marketing arm Soccer United Marketing, the U.S. professional league said in a press release.

The deal guarantees that Barcelona, who appear set to retain international stars for next season such as Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez and Lionel Messi, will visit the United States for a minimum of six exhibition matches during the five-year partnership, including a tour this summer, with SUM managing every commercial, marketing and PR aspect of the games on American soil.

"FCB is a world-renowned brand for its great history of special players, entertaining play and success," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "MLS is excited to help expand the story of FCB and its efforts by showcasing its breathtaking soccer and further developing its brand in North America."

Barcelona, who this year is third in Spain's La Liga and reached the Champions League semifinals, first made serious attempts to gain a foothold in the American soccer market following the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Barca, led by Brazilian star Ronaldinho, toured the USA to great success, selling out all three of its matches in Los Angeles, Houston and East Rutherford, New Jersey, with an average crowd of 80,734.

"After a successful tour in 2006, we at FC Barcelona are excited to embrace a long-term strategy for our brand in the U.S. market," club president Joan Laporta said. "This represents a true North American expansion for FC Barcelona. We are sure that, with the cooperation of MLS and SUM, Barca will become more recognizable among the North American public, as well as continue the growth of soccer in the United States." Details of this summer's tour were not released on Thursday but are expected "in the near future," the MLS statement said.

Vancouver Nips Beckham, LA Galaxy

VANCOUVER 2, LOS ANGELES 1 --------------------

EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) - David Beckham gave the crowd a treat, but he couldn't deliver a victory for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Vancouver Whitecaps posted a 2-1 victory over Beckham and the Galaxy in a friendly on Tuesday night.

The match was played in front of 37,104 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, with most coming to catch a glimpse of Beckham in action. He set up the lone Galaxy goal late in the first half but the Whitecaps controlled play for much of the contest. Beckham helped the Galaxy tie the game, 1-1, in the 43rd minute. He fired a long cross into the top of the box for Alan Gordon, who beat charging Whitecaps goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic to the ball and headed it into the open goal.

Whitecaps forward Nicholas Adderly and Eduardo Sebrango both tallied for Vancouver. In the fourth minute, the Whitecaps took an early lead with a goal from Adderly, who beat Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Wicks with a low shot inside his right post. The Whitecaps took a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute on a beautiful strike from Sebrango, who fired a blast past Wicks at the left post. Midfielder Justin Moose picked up a loose ball and found forward Nick Webb up the right wing. Webb dribbled in behind the Galaxy defense and played a low cross just above the six-yard box for Sebrango to drill home.

The Galaxy put on the pressure in the closing minutes, but were not able to beat Wicks, who made a string of saves to preserve the victory. Beckham, who nearly added a goal of his own on a 30-yard free kick that just missed the near post, came out in the 75th minute to a nice ovation from the crowd. The Galaxy were without MLS scoring leader Landon Donovan, who had a strained calf and did not make the trip.

SoCal MLS Capsule

NEW ENGLAND 2, CHIVAS 1----------------------

CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Kenny Mansally and Taylor Twellman scored goals to lift the New England Revolution to a 2-1 victory over Chivas USA on Sunday. New England's two goals matched its offensive output of the previous four games, in which it went 1-2-1, including a 3-0 drubbing at home to the Chicago Fire last weekend.

Mansally got the Revolution (4-3-1) on the board in the 18th minute and Twellman, seeing his first action of the season, doubled the margin in the 59th minute. Justin Braun scored in the 93rd minute to avert a shutout for Chivas, (1-4-2), which ran its winless streak to five matches. Twellman, the third-leading scorer in MLS with 16 goals last season, has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery on April 2. He has registered 91 goals in his previous six seasons. Midfielder Steve Ralston assisted on the tally by Twellman. Ralston returned to action last week for the first time since he was injured in the team's season opener.

New England goalkeeper Matt Reis did not have to make a save. Chivas' only official shot was Braun's goal. Brad Guzan made three saves for Chivas, which lost at home to the Revolution for the first time in four career meetings. It is the first time the visiting team has won in the series, which New England leads, 3-2-2.

Beckham Named MLS Player of the Week

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham was named MLS Player of the Week on Monday. The British superstar recorded his second player of the week honors of the season after scoring twice to rally the Galaxy to a 2-2 tie against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

After Real Salt Lake tallied twice in the first 18 minutes of the match, Beckham helped the Galaxy respond in the 36th minute. Forward Landon Donovan chipped in a ball for Alan Gordon, who settled it with his chest and laid it back for Beckham outside of the penalty box. Beckham quickly unleashed a fierce bending shot into the upper left corner of the goal to halve the deficit. Beckham netted the equalizer just four minutes later on a free kick, striking it over the wall and into the top left corner of the goal. After being limited due to injury last season, Beckham has recorded three goals and four assists in six matches this campaign.

SoCal MLS Report

CHIVAS 0, HOUSTON 0--------------

By Jeremy Rakes

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Chivas USA's Brad Guzan stopped five shots and Pat Onstad of the Houston Dynamo finished with three saves as the teams played to a scoreless tie on Saturday.

The clubs entered the game first and second in the league in fouls, and it was a physical game from the outset. Chivas was whistled for 18 fouls while Houston was issued for 17 fouls as the rivalry heated up. The teams were whistled for an MLS season-high eight yellow cards and a red card, which was given to Chivas USA's Claudio Suarez in the 82nd minute.

"It's always a physical game; that's the style that they play," Guzan said. "They always bring a hard, physical game and we know that. It's no surprise. To compete with them, you have to be able to battle. "You have to be able to get in on tackles ... and get in on headballs and all that. You have to know that it's not always going to be pretty, and it's going to be ugly at times as well." The best chance for Houston to score was in the 88th minute when Dwayne De Rosario found Corey Ashe, but his one-timer was stopped by Guzan.

So Cal MLS Report

LOS ANGELES 2, REAL SALT LAKE 2

By Chris Bellamy

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - David Beckham proved his value Saturday night, and it wasn't just the record-setting crowd he brought in at Rice-Eccles Stadium. With his team on the ropes early in the half, Beckham scored twice to take advantage of a couple of key defensive lapses as the Los Angeles Galaxy rallied to salvage a 2-2 tie with Real Salt Lake.

"It was a good game in the end," Beckham said. "I think that we started off terrible the first 20 minutes. We didn't get close enough to them as a team. We looked scared of them. And then a couple of tackles started going in, and we livened up. We got ourselves back into the game."

Real Salt Lake's Fabian Espindola and Kenny Deuchar scored just 11 minutes apart to stake the home team to an early lead. "I would say two goals in the first 20 minutes was the game plan. That's definitely how it was drawn up," Real coach Jason Kreis said. "But our reaction after that was very, very poor."

But that was hardly enough as Beckham halved the deficit when accepted a feed from Landon Donovan and fired a 20-yard strike for his second goal of the season in the 36th minute. "I saw the chance, and I saw that there was nothing going on in the box, and I decided to take the shot myself," Beckham said. "We started coming back into the game just before then, and when you're coming back into the game, it's important that you capitalize on the play." The British superstar wasted no time pulling even. Just four minutes later, Beckham drilled a 30-yard laser past Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando on a free kick for the equalizer. Beckham's two goals were the club's only shots on goal in the first half.

The high-scoring start to the game gave way to a quieter second half, as the two clubs could only muster a series of near-misses and missed opportunities. "I was kind of surprised (at the lack of second-half offense)," Kreis said. "I think both teams had plenty of opportunities, and you'd figure there would have been more goals, especially after four in the first half."

Real's Andy Williams nearly gave his team the lead four minutes into the second half, but his low line drive right in front of the net ricocheted off goalkeeper Steve Cronin's leg and popped up high and out of bounds. Los Angeles had two quick chances 10 minutes later. Rimando blocked Greg Vanney's shot, but the ball rebounded right to Alan Gordon, whose header went wide left. Probably the best chance either team had came in the 73rd minute. Beckham sailed a long cross to an open Donovan, but the veteran misfired from point-blank range. "I think that after the game, there was a feeling that we should have won this game," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. "After those (first) 20 minutes, this team battled back."

Donovan Named MLS Player of the Month

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan on Thursday was named MLS Player of the Month for April after scoring eight goals in five games. Donovan won consecutive Player of the Week awards, helping the Galaxy to a 2-2-1 record in the opening month of the season.

The American has either scored or assisted in 10 of his team's 11 goals. Donovan tallied seven goals in his last three games, including a hat trick in a 5-2 victory over Chivas USA on Saturday. He scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Houston on April 19, which also earned him Player of the Week honors. Donovan's eight goals is double the amount as his nearest competitor. The MLS single season record is 27, set by Roy Lassiter in 1996.

SoCal MLS Report

CHIVAS 1, FC DALLAS 1-------------------

FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) -- Maykel Galindo's late goal helped Chivas USA pull out a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas on Sunday in the season opener for both teams. Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala made seven saves before allowing Galindo to score an unassisted tally in the 84th minute to even the contest. Juan Tojo scored the lone goal for Dallas, beating Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 21st minute with a left-footed shot. Abe Thompson and Bobby Rhine picked up assists on the play. Guzan made four saves for Chivas, who have never come from behind to win after surrendering the first goal.

SoCal MLS Report

COLORADO 4, LOS ANGELES 0-----------------------

COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (Ticker) -- An English midfielder stole the show in the season opener between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado Rapids. But it wasn't who everyone expected. Terry Cooke had a goal and two assists to power the Rapids to a 4-0 victory over the Galaxy and superstar David Beckham on Saturday night before a record crowd of 18,713 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The storyline coming in was Beckham starting his first full season in MLS, but Cooke stole the show from his much more heralded countryman as Colorado extended its home winning streak over Los Angeles to seven games. "Not our best night," Beckham said. "In the first half we didn't play our best but we created chances. When you don't play good football you don't deserve to win. Congratulations to Colorado."

Christian Gomez, Omar Cummings and Colin Clark added second-half goals for the Rapids (1-0-0), who spoiled the coaching debut of former Dutch standout Ruud Gullit with Los Angeles.