Vancouver Whitecaps 0 LA Galaxy 4

This is the first time that these two teams have met, this being the first season in the MLS for Vancouver. For this game, Beckham is left at home for this game as once again, the accumulation of yellow cards means he misses another league game.

In other team news, Josh Saunders starts once more in goal for the Galaxy standing in for the injured Donovan Ricketts. Angel starts this match with support from Landon Donovan as The Galaxy seek an away win over bottom-of-the-table Vancouver.

The first half was fairly even-handed with neither team establishing a foot-hold in the game despite a flurry of chances for The Galaxy near the end of the half.

It was an hour into the game before the deadlock was broken, a great searching pas from Franklin found Donovan, a defender slipped the the ground leaving Donovan unchallenged shooting across goal with his left foot - a great hit proving to be his 10th goal of the season, this was quickly followed up with a penalty, also scored by Donovan.

Donovan sets Franklin up for LA's third goal, a last-minute effort from Cristman sealed a convincing win, 4-0 to The Galaxy, who are having a great season so far.

MLS All-Stars 0 Manchester United 4

Following on from their 7-0 drubbing of Seattle Sounders, Man U took the MLS All-stars to task yesterday. Beckham took a midfield role as he does for recent Galaxy games and was able to drive forward a couple of times once striking just wide, and another time testing the keeper from range. However, as Man City over-ran The Galaxy last week (even though they only managed a 1-1 draw before penalties), there was never any doubt that Man United were the superior team. It was Anderson who opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Park doubled the advantage with a superb individual effort before half-time.

Goals from Berbatov and Wellbeck in the second half ensured an emphatic victory for Man United, establishing proof of the gap between the top of the English Premiership and the top of the MLS.

LA Galaxy 1 Manchester City 1 (6-7 on penalties)

David Beckham went on record this week accusing Manchester City of trying to 'buy' their way to the top, contrasting with the Manchester United story of consistent performance over a long top-flight history. Later this week, The MLS All-Stars with Beckham amongst their number will get the chance to show their class against Manchester United, today Manchester City get the chance to show just what they have in the squad although it is unlikely that at this point in the season, The Galaxy will be in a position to field their first choice squad for ninety minutes.

The first half was dominated by Manchester City as they easily controlled the majority of the play - after 20 minutes Balliotelli converted a penalty for Man City as Micah Richards was brought down in the area. However just a few minutes later Balliotelli found himself substituted by Mancini after outrageous 'showboating' in front of goal. His offence was to turn his back on the LA keeper when clear in the penalty area and try (unsuccessfully) to back-heel the ball into the net. The crowd, the opposition and even team-mates were equally appalled, and Balliotelli was in no doubt that he had offended his manager when he was called to the bench and removed from the game (I believe he was also booked for his petulant display). Balltiolli is living proof that you can give a child a mans' wages, but it doesn't mean he will grow up - Premier League fans are used to his bizarre behaviour, he apparently has not matured.

Beckham played most of the first half as a make-shift left-back, and with the All-star game looming, was not expected to come out for the second half.

Man City go into half time one-nil up, and the second half appeared to be a continuance of the first, until 52 minutes when A MaGee strike from distance soared over Joe Harts head for a spectacular LA goal. This inspired a frantic 5 minutes for LA when they pressed the Man City goal until they regained composure and possession. The second half looked a lot more evenly balanced even with some key LA players missing, and a debut for 16 year old Jack McBean up front.

LA hold on for the rest of the ninety and the game ends at 1 - 1 in normal time - penalties to follow...

After 2 clean penalties each, Juninho hits the post for The Galaxy - but Perk saves the last and final penalty of the initial five. Jack McBean has his penalty saved, but Lescott for Man City has a penalty saved by Perk too. Gonzales gets a goal despite Joe Hart getting a good hand to it.. We are up to the ninth round, and Hart saves from De Le Garza, Joe Hart himself takes the ninth penalty for Manchester City and smacks the ball with some venom past his counter-part Perk. Man City take the points...

LA Galaxy 1 Columbus Crew 0

First goal for defender Sean Franklin seals a much-needed win for The Galaxy. Back with a win after a poor week last week, keeping The Galaxy at the top of the Western Conference.

The game was frustrating for The Galaxy who failed to find the net until half-way through the second half. Angel squandered a good chance after half an hour chipping the keeper but missing the goal. A multitude of corner kicks failed to penetrate the Columbus defence, and it was a free-kick won and taken by Beckham that save the day. The kick was low into the wall and fortunately fell into the path of Franklin who executed a great hit from around 30 yards, low and hard, the shot caught a Columbus foot on the way through, and despite the keeper getting a hand to it, it shot past him and nestled in the back of the net.

The game was blighted in extra time when in the midst of some time-wasting tactics employed by LA (never been a fan of this unsporting behaviour..) Beckham got himself yet another booking for delaying a restart at a free kick, and yet another suspension for the match next week.

Never mind, they clash with Man City on Sunday, regarded by many to be the new Galacticos having been thoroughly beaten by the old Galacticos (Madrid) last week...

LA Galaxy 1 Real Madrid 4

It was the first time that Beckham had played against Real Madrid since leaving Spain four years ago. Although it took half an hour for Madrid to get the first goal, The Galaxy were no match for 'The Galacticos' and succumbed to obvious superiority. Ten minutes later they were 2-0 down and heading for half-time changes. Donovan came off for The Galaxy while Ronaldo came on for Madrid - 15 minutes later it was 4-0 to Real and Beckham completed his hour-long stint and was also substituted. Five minutes later, The Galaxy made a great attack and Cristman took advantage of some poor goal-keeping to head the ball home for The Galaxy and give them a little pride in their performance.

This was never a true match up, as Real Madrid start off their pre-season and Bruce Arena used the opportunity to throw a few lower-roster players into the mix. Nevertheless, the match served to indicate the current Spanish superiority when it comes to Football at both club and international level.

Seattle Sounders 3 LA Galaxy 1

A starting lineup without David Beckham took on The Sounders at the Starfire Sports Stadium in the 'Open Cup' quarterfinal. The Sounders came out strong and took the game to The Galaxy in the first half who were lucky to finish the first half only 2-1 down. Although Galaxy looked to be getting back into the game, a third goal for The Sounders on 74 mins killed off any hopes that LA may have had about getting a result out of this match.

LA Galaxy 2 Chicago Fire 1 Beckham scores

Beckham is back in the starting line up for the first time in a few weeks after the prolonged back injury, and after playing just 20 minutes last week.

The first half demonstrated the ability by both teams to launch swift attacks, but the final delivery was missing and there were pitifully few shots, and even fewer that caused the 'keepers any concern. At half time, the dull 0-0 score reflected the play which held little entertainment value. The closest chance falling to a Chicago header which narrowly missed the target in the final minute of the half.

The goals were all saved up for the second half. On 57 minutes, Beckham delivered up a free-kick from the right-hand side - the ball curled away from the goal and found Donovan climbing high on the far side, the well-controlled header back across goal hits the back of the net, 1-0 The Galaxy, another assist to Beckham.

Only 4 minutes later, The Galaxy succumb to a header too to take the score to 1-1. Another 4 minutes later and Beckham scores directly from a corner kick - the in-swinging ball from the left managed to slip between everyone and find the net just inside the far post. Angel was loitering and I am sure that Angel was Beckham's intended target, nevertheless David was clearly delighted to have scored what would prove to be the winning goal. Three goals in a head-spinning 10 minute spell which sees The Galaxy go ahead, get pinned back and go ahead for a second time.

The Fire have one more close effort curled over the bar, but The Galaxy successfully hold their lead 'til the end of the match, enduring 6 minutes of extra time on the way. This all bodes well for LA's assault on the Western Conference league tables as they extend their lead over Dallas.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

	Club	PTS	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD
1	LA Galaxy	39	21	10	2	9	27	16	11
2	FC Dallas	34	19	10	5	4	26	19	7
3	Seattle Sounders FC	32	20	8	4	8	25	18	7
4	Real Salt Lake	30	17	8	3	6	23	12	11
5	Colorado Rapids	27	20	6	5	9	22	23	-1
6	Chivas USA	22	19	5	7	7	24	23	1
7	San Jose Earthquakes	22	18	5	6	7	22	21	1
8	Portland Timbers	18	16	5	8	3	19	28	-9
9	Vancouver Whitecaps	14	20	2	10	8	19	28	-9