LA Galaxy 0 NY Red Bulls 2

The only good thing about this game from an LA perspective is that Beckham played the full 90 minutes. He took advantage of a stoppage about 2o minutes from the end to let Bruce Arena know that he was fit enough to finish the game, indicating that he did not want to be substituted.

The Galaxy had their chances, many of then supplied by Beckham, but they could not find a way past the Red Bulls goalkeeper.

After 36 minutes, Red Bull winger Richards tapped in a rebound for the first goal, and the first half finished with Galaxy trailing by a single goal.

In the second half, Richards won a penalty when he was clearly dragged down in the box, Angel converted very coolly, and Red Bulls took their two goal lead to the end of the game. Beckham had a chance to make a real impact of 65 mi

ns when he curled a free kick towards the top corner, but the Red Bulls keeper was not letting anything past...

I wonder if the rest of the team steps off the gas a bit when Beckham is on the pitch - it is difficult to comprehend why the forwards were quite so ineffective. Donovan for one was almost anonymous, and without Donovan darting about in front of goal, The Galaxy are always going to struggle. Buddle was probably more effective, but he is a player that tends to drift in and out of a game at the best of times.

In the closing minutes, Beckham picked up another booking (the second from the only three games he has played this season) - at least he is not holding back!

Over all, if they had taken their chances this could have been a very different game, defence has never been LA's strongest suit, so when they don't take their chances up the field they are always vulnerable. That said, the Red Bulls keeper had a magnificent match, and it would have taken something special to beat him, certainly something more than Donovans final effort close the the end of the game, when in front of goal he more or less passed the ball to the keeper. Beckham did OK, he provided dangerous crosses and ambitious passes, but the bite of the team was missing - hopefully the teeth will be sharpened next time out...