Portland 3 LA 5

In an eight goal thriller at the weekend, Beckham scores two fantastic goals to silence the critics.. Coming back from a suspension, Beckham makes up for lost time by netting two - one a 35 yard unstoppable shot, the other a trademark free-kick identical to his last goal for the LA Galaxy a few weeks ago.

Beckham banned

What a thrilling week Beckham has had, but not one he will want to remember. Having had to accept that he will take no part in the GB Olympic squad, Beckham enters the San Jose game with a point to prove. The Galaxy go 1 - 0 down after a lucky early goal, but it is a trademark Beckham free-kick that puts LA on equal footing. However despite going 3-1 up, the Galaxy concede again either side of half-time bringing them back to 3-3. San Jose get another one about the hour mark, and despite two possible penalty area hand-balls, LA can't get a break and lose the game 4-3.
There is another side to the determined Beckham, and we saw that too as in frustration he kicked the ball at a prostrate Sam Cronin, and got into a vocal dispute with players at the end of the match. This conduct got him a one-match ban and an undisclosed fine.

Phillipines 1 LA Galaxy 6

Beckham scores the opening goal in open play (!) in what quite frankly a rout seeing a host of the Galaxy's star players getting goals. Beckham opened the scoring on 20 minutes curling the ball past the keeper from just outside the box. Magee scored a scorcher from Donovan just before the 40 minute mark, and the Phillipines quickly got one back 2-1 to the Galaxy at half time.

Keane scrambles the ball into the net straight after the break, Cristman headed a goal on the hour mark to take the score to 4-1, well out of sight for the Phillipines team. The Galaxy won a penalty on 80 mins and veteran Berhalter took a great penalty to take the score up to 5-1, and Cristman rounded it off on 86 mins, the game finished 6-1 and never for a second did it look like any other outcome was likely..

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

Galaxy 4 Kansas 1 - Beckham scores

Despite gifting Kansas the opening goal before Kansas had even had a shot of their own, Galaxy fought back to comfortably win a largely one-sided match. The come-back started when Beckham was bought down for a penalty near to half-time, Donovan converted and the teams went in at half-time tied 1-1.

It took Donovan less than a minute of the second half to take The Galaxy into the lead. Angel took the score to 3-1, and no-one looked more pleased to see Angel score than Beckham. Smiles all round as Beckham is fouled once more, giving away a free-kick with just a few minutes left on the clock.

The resulting Beckham set play brought even bigger smiles as he slotted the ball into the near corner from an impressive distance - proving once more that even though you may know what he is going to try - you still can't stop him from doing it. Beckhams first Galaxy goal of the season delighted the home crowd and his team-mates. A fantastic result for the Galaxy, a classic Beckham goal - good preparation for the game against Chivas next Saturday.

LA Galaxy 2 FC Dallas 1 Beckham scores

Aiming to win the 'Supporters Shield' as the MLS season runs down, LA Galaxy host FC Dallas at the Home Depot Centre.

The Galaxy start strongly but it is Dallas who strike first after 21 minutes, Ricketts left no chance as the ball gets headed in from right in front of goal.

Just eleven minutes later, Donovan wins the ball at the by-line, cuts back to Beckham who slammed it rocket-like from the edge of the penalty box, goal to Beckham, Galaxy back on level terms. Neither team really established superiority in the first half which finishes honours even at 1-1. It will be up to LA to use the home advantage and last-goal scored advantage in the second half.

It takes Juninho just 30 seconds of the second half to pounce on a loose clearance and give The Galaxy a one-goal advantage, 2-1 to LA.

LA start to get a little control, the Dallas 'keeper is made to work overtime on 66 mins, Buddle heads from a Beckham corner, the Dallas 'keeper gets down well to his left for a great reaction save, this is followed by a few more close Galaxy efforts on goal.

Some late pressure from Dallas is soaked up by the Galaxy, Beckham is substituted to considerable home applause in the 89th minute. LA look to hold onto their slender lead as the clock ticks down the three minutes of extra time. The game finally finishes, and Galaxy run out winners, thanks in no little part to Beckham.

Chivas USA 1 LA Galaxy 2 Beckham scores!

Beckham starts in a more central role, and has a chance early on - the chance is wasted high and wide much to the delight of the Chivas supporters. On 7 mins Chivas hit the Galaxy goalpost, and in the very next minute, Beckham puts Buddle one-on-one with the Chivas keeper. Buddle chips the keeper and the ball tantalizingly bounces back off the cross-bar.

On 23 minutes, Buddle makes amends and extends his lead as the leading goal-scorer in the MLS, 1-0 to The Galaxy.

On 38 mins, Buddle is pulled back giving Beckham the chance to demonstrate his dead-ball skills, he does just that and the score is now 2-0 to The Galaxy... Admittedly the free-kick was at the perfect distance, but he slotted it beautifully in the top right hand corner giving the keeper little chance.

Galaxy have stopped short of dominating the half as they continue to show frailty in defence, yet Chivas look unlikely to claw back the two-nil lead that LA take into the half-time break.

Second Half:

Chivas came out from the break determined to make an impact, making their first chance with a headed attempt on goal after just 20 seconds. It took another 20 minutes for Chivas to make a dent in the LA Galaxy lead. Alan Gordon (ex-LA Galaxy) headed towards goal, Rickets parried, but only up into his own net. Gordon was shown to be offside in the replay, but the goal stood and Chivas are back in the game as Beckham is substituted (Eddie Lewis). Ironically a number of Beckham's second half searching passes were flagged (quite wrongly) as off-side, so to have Gordon scoring from an offside position did not please Galaxy supporters and staff.

The Galaxy struggle a little without Beckham especially as Donovan does not appear to be firing on all cylinders...

The referee made a mockery of himself on 77 mins. Eddie Lewis was on the end of a studs-up sliding tackle, in his attempt to jump out of the way, he landed on the Chivas player who had narrowly missed breaking his leg. To the consternation of the bench (who witnessed the proceedings at close hand), the ref immediately sent Lewis off! Beckham came off the bench to remonstrate with the ref along with a whole crowd of players and staff. After a few minutes trying to sort out the mess, the ref eventually booked the offending Chivas player! I know the officials have a hard job, but some make themselves look silly. How can you acknowledge the foul (by the booking) and then send off the player who was fouled (even if, as a result the offending player gets hurt..)?

Either way, The Galaxy are up by a goal, but down by a player and hanging on at this stage. Four minutes of extra time are called, most of which is dominated by Chivas - However, The Galaxy hold out against the run of play and resume the lead of the Western Conference.