Becks scores his first goal for the LA Galaxy

David Beckham finally had his chance to start a game for his new side: The LA Galaxy.

The SuperLiga 2007 semifinal game against DC United was televised here in the DFW area on TeleFutura in Spanish. It’s too bad that ESPN didn’t televise this one as David Beckham’s “first game in the US”. Because last night’s game had all the elements of a hallmark national broadcast.

After the tough East Coast swing that the Galaxy took last week, the team looked primed, loosey-goosey & ready for the Home Depot Center duel. DC United must have not expected a completely different team than the LA Galaxy they dominated against back at RFK last week. But that's what they got. With Becks as the new Galaxy captain, the team showed renewed vigor and organization. The LA defense was well assembled. There were plenty of stabbing attacks into DC United territory. And there was the free kick that everyone's talking about today. Mr. Beckham bent it like, well, Beckham. He also had a really nice assist to Landon Donovan in the second half.

The game was a blast to watch. It really is a shame that this wasn't the way that the LA Galaxy debuted Beckham. There were a lot of empty seats in the stands. But those that did show up and watched on TV, saw a real barn burner. It puts the Galaxy in the finals of the SuperLiga against Pachuca on Augugst 29th. And psychologically, this victory gives them a real boost for the remainder of the MLS season. While they're still an outside chance to get in the playoffs, they are a lot closer today than they were at this time yesterday.