Toronto 0 Galaxy 0

Beckham's first visit to Toronto as a Galaxy player proved uneventful, Landon Donovan didn't even appear on the bench, and was sorely missed on the pitch. For the Galaxy's part, they hit the post three times (once from a Beckham free-kick) - and drew a good save from the keeper in the opening minutes. Ricketts was hardly busier in the Galaxy goal pulling out two decent saves from very close range.

Not quite so many bookings as the last outing nonetheless, Juninho got himself sent off, and Beckham added to his impressive tally of yellow cards which means he misses the next game - hopefully Donovan will be back next week, there was doubt about his knee before this match.

LA are now third in the Western Conference on the same points as second-placed Colorado Rapids, both three points behind league leaders Real Salt Lake who have a perfect four wins out of four with two games in hand over the Galaxy and one game over the Rapids.

Next game Sunday against Chicago Fire, but Beckham is suspended and will next be available for the Timbers game on April 23rd.

DC United 1 LA Galaxy 1

From the start of this game, Galaxy looked comfortable taking on DC United away from home. After some positive LA pressure, it was a Beckham corner that provided the chance for Mike Magee to head home the first goal for the visitors. Beckham wears the captains armband tonight, something we have not seen since he showed a preference for AC Milan.

United had a chance to draw level after a Dunivant badly-time tackle earned him a yellow card. The resulting free kick was lofted high towards the Galaxy goal mouth, but the shot was wayward - after 30 minutes Ricketts has hardly been tested in the Galaxy goal.

The game starts to get a little tetchy and tackles are flying in, Beckham gets himself another booking (fourth of the season) for a tackle that takes man and ball, although the 'man' in question helped by taking a dive suggestive of a sniper shot through the head in a bad movie. Minutes later, the cameras spot a lot of blood seeping through one of Beckhams' socks, but he continues to use both feet to good effect, and the first half closes out with The Galaxy holding on to their one-goal lead.

Beckham initially looks uncomfortable in the opening minutes of the second half, but soon settles into the rhythm in the more central role that he has occupied for the last few games.

On 52 mins, DC try to change things by bringing on an attacking substitute, 67 mins and Ricketts comes flying out to make a vital challenge outside the box, a rare scare for LA.

74 mins and The Galaxy bring on Cordozo for Lopez as DC line up for a corner - the corner is only just cleared off the line and LA continue to hold on to their narrow lead. For the first time in the match, DC are stringing passes together and starting to look like a threat.

With 10 minutes to go, David Beckham is substituted as LA peg DC back and have a few decent chances of their own. Quaranta, the DC captain leaves his foot in a challenge and is dismissed for a second booking. Despite the man-advantage of LA, DC continue to press and are rewarded with a penalty on 88 minutes. Substitute Charlie Davies steps up to score and level the game as Juan Pablo Angel is substituted for The Galaxy. Four minutes of extra time are added, and The Galaxy spurn a chance to go ahead shooting high over the bar from just a few yards. The game finishes, and the Galaxy players express their annoyance with the referee for awarding the penalty. Nonetheless, this is not a bad result for the first of three games on the road for the Galaxy, and you have to credit DC for their stamina to find an opening so close to the end of the game with only ten men on the pitch.

NEXT GAME: WEDNESDAY against FC TORONTO

LA Galaxy 1 Philadelphia Union 0

Donovan Ricketts back into the starting line up after injury, Landon Donovan back after international duty. After good pressure from the Galaxy, it was a David Beckham set piece that gave Leonardo the opportunity to head home for the first and only goal of the game shortly after the half-hour mark. Just a minute or so later, Beckham had a shot of his own from distance saved by the scrambling Philadelphia goalkeeper.

On balance it looked like The Galaxy were worth their lead as they went into the tunnel for the end of the first half.

The second half was going to be all about the referee in the worst possible way. Referees do best when they make good firm decisions and nip any unwanted behaviour in the bud. This one did not... he gave Birchall a straight red for an off the ball incident, then seemed to waver a little and book the opposing offender (Ruiz) for the same altercation - one of those where you think if they're both at fault, why is only one sent off?

This was only the tip of this particular iceberg, as from minute 51 to minute 90, the ref also booked:

Lopez (LA), Ricketts (LA), Williams (PHI), Harvey (PHI) Califf (PHI) Beckham AND Donovan... such was the lack of control exercised by the ref, that the game culminated in a free-for-all scrap on 90 minutes at which the ref produced yet another red card to finish of a half of eight bookings and two dismissals...

Never mind the bookings, LA were delighted to close out the game as winners on home turf extinguishing some of the disappointment of last week. Beckham has his second assist of the season, this time playing in a more central mid-field role, and will be looking for goals to add to those assists soon.

England 1 Ghana 1

A new-look England team took the field yesterday including Ashley Young and Andy Carroll up front, with Wilshere sitting in front of the back four. Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines were introduced along with Cahill at the back, Jolien Lescott joined them (for Johnson) at half-time.

Barry played in the middle with Wilshere, Downing took the right wing, Hart in goal.

The game started well with a lot of pressure coming from England, countered with a few good moves coming from Ghana, the crowd were vocal in support of Ghana especially when Asamoah Gyan was on the ball. After 30 mins Ashley Young slides in on a Milner cross and hits the bar when it would surely have been easier to score, Carroll is narrowly beaten to the rebound.

First senior international goal for Andy Caroll with after about forty minutes, Ashley Young finds Downing on the edge of the box - fails to gather it but instead leaves the ball for Carroll to strike sweetly into the back of the net on his favoured left foot. At this point England look good for the win and look likely to add to the tally.

The second half started with another good attempt from Young, slightly off-target with this one as it swings over the bar. Increasingly England look the more likely to score and eventually Welbeck and Defoe are brought on for Young and Carroll, Jarvis comes on for Wilshire. However it is inevitably Asamoah Gyan who scores the only other goal of the night to level things for Ghana.

A well-fought draw - fantastic 'visiting' crowd, exciting football, which is not always the case in internationals - and rarely in friendlies... Some things for Capello to consider - he has to be pleased with contributions from Young and Wilshere who have surely secured their places in the next squad. Carroll has his goal, but is not really contributing as much as he should, Lescott is a doubt for the future in my book - one silly foul he gave away could easily have been a penalty on close examination of the replay - also Baines went into too many challenges recklessly in my opinion.

Real Salt Lake 4 LA Galaxy 1

A day to forget for the Galaxy and Beckham contrasting with the success of the English national side in Wales. As England beat Wales 2 - 0 in the European qualifiers, Galaxy collapse away to Real Salt Lake giving away four goals before eventually getting one back through Angel.

The tally included two from within the box that should really have been dealt with by Galaxy defenders, a penalty about which there can be little argument and a drive over the keepers head from the edge of the box. Galaxy is still displaying weakness in defence as has been evident for the last few seasons. Of course, being a day for internationals, The Galaxy were also missing the fire-power of Landon Donovan.

Worth noting the Beckham hit the post from a free-kick, but this was largely due to a deflection that took the ball so far off-target, it is impossible to say whether the kick was good. The goal from Angel came from a Beckham free-kick, but was basically down to keeper-error as he misjudged the ball leaving Angel an open net - I'm not even sure Angel hit the ball with his foot, it looked more like it came off the knee.

LA and coach Bruce Arena have some serious work to do before hosting Philadelphia next week, in what will be their first match-up against this new team who lead the Eastern Conference with two wins out of two so far.

LA Galaxy 1 New England Rev 1

Off to a shaky start in very wet conditions, The Galaxy concede from a header after only two and a half minutes of play. Beckham had a chance to make amends ten minutes later from a freekick, but had to make do with a corner. Over the next few minutes, Galaxy pressure yielded more corners, one made it's way back to Beckham who sent in a looping cross - fumbled by the keeper, dropped to a Galaxy player - in the net, but disallowed - not clear whether this was for a foul on the keeper or offside, but not sure either was true.

Loads more Galaxy pressure follows. more corners, another goal - again disallowed. Offside - possibly, but one of those 'phases of play' calls that could easily have been allowed... More pressure piled on... NE defender handles the ball on the floor - no penalty given. Sooner or later a decision must go Galaxy's way..

38mins more pressure from Galaxy - ball comes loose, scorching shot from Juninho 30 yards or more, past the keeper - goal to Galaxy - no argument this time!

First half ends 1-1 with The Galaxy looking the team most likely to score again, New England have not had a shot since they scored in the opening minutes.

New England wake up a bit for the start of the second half, but Angel takes the field 17 mins in to help liven up The Galaxy. NE get a chance, Joseph is one-on-one with the keeper, but hits the post.

28 mins in and Beckham takes a free-kick - bends it too far outside the near-post. Everyone is struggling with the wet conditions, difficult to judge ball-speed across the sodden ground.

The game finishes with Galaxy looking by far the stronger side, nevertheless, The Revolution hold on to the end. Even in the closing seconds, LA have the ball in the net yet again, Angel marginally offside from an exquisite Beckham pass. Seldom have a team had three goals disallowed in the same game. In summary then, a poor game hampered by the wet conditions, New England very lucky to get a draw. LA should feel pleased with the performance, less than pleased with the score-line.

Seattle 0 Galaxy 1

Narrow margin for the first outing of the season for LA, and quiet game for Beckham (apart from a late booking for a reckless tackle). Seattle started well, but Josh Saunders in the LA goal kept them in the game - he is looking like a great replacement for Ricketts (currently injured).

It was left to Juninho to score the only goal of the game on 57 mins, beating Kasey Keller at his near post despite Keller getting a hand to the ball.

Seattle had plenty of chances but nothing that could get past Josh Saunders who had a fantastic game.

This is a good start for The Galaxy who start the season with an away win, and a clean sheet.

Club Tijuana 2 (4) LA Galaxy 2 (3)

The Galaxy failed to win a penalty shootout against Club Tijuana after a 2-2 tie at the end of 90 minutes. Beckham featured alongside Donovan and new signing Angel. The first LA goal came from a Beckham corner, Beckham was dangerous from set-pieces as you would expect.

Hopefully, some valuable lessons will have been learned - maybe strengthening of the defence (a long-term issue with The Galaxy) is still a problem - at least two goals (one from Donovan) shows that they are getting something right at the front.

I will be interested to observe Angel's contribution, especially now Buddle has gone - From my stand-point, I felt Donovan was unusually ineffective at the end of last season, hopefully he will be refreshed ready for the next match.

Talking of which... Galaxy meet the Seattle Sounders (away) Tuesday 15th March at 6:30pm local time in their first regular MLS match of the new season.

Back at The Galaxy

David Beckham took part in his first Galaxy training session of the year last Thursday, and said his overall fitness is right on schedule.

“My main objective was to get fit for the Galaxy and for the MLS season," Beckham said after training.

Beckham has talked down his desire to play at Tottenham and talked up his desire to complete the coming season with The Galaxy. Reading between the lines, it all looks a bit like a conciliatory gesture to the MLS - maybe trying to head off some of the criticism that an element of the LA fans will want to point in his direction.

Although he has missed some of the LA Galaxy pre-season, it is likely that a fitter, better prepared Beckham is now available for The Galaxy. Having not played under pressure since the end of the last MLS season, he will no doubt be raring to go. This year of all years, it is time for Beckham to make a difference in the MLS.

Denmark 1 England 2

I know I was a little late getting this up, but as Beckham was not even in the squad, it is not really a Beckham story.

The main points being England initially showed little prowess in defence when allowing a long cross to be headed beyond Joe Hart in the England goal early in the match. Just a minute or so later, Theo Walcott sends a cross in for Darren Bent that easily found the back of the net.

Only ten minutes gone and two goals scored 1-1.

The score remained the same going into the break, and a slightly changed side came out for the second half Scott Parker, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young introduced as direct replacements for Lampard, Rooney and Wilshere.

England began to take over in the second half and show some of that dominance that was a feature of their World Cup Qualifiers. With just 20 minutes to go, Glen Johnson went on one of his runs that found him with the ball at his feet on the edge of the box. He generously crossed the ball into the path of the oncoming Ashley Young who accurately passed the ball beyond Sorrenson in the Danish goal 1-2.

There were chances, but none that altered the score as England went home deserved victors, able to dominate even with a substantial injury list.

Beckham at Spurs until 22nd Feb

David Beckham is staying on with the Spurs squad for further training until 22nd February - previously the return date had not been finalised.

Had he managed to get on to the pitch in a 'Spurs shirt, he may have been in contention for tomorrow's Englands friendly against Denmark. The England squad has been hit quite badly by injuries, including most crucially, to Steven Gerrard.

Arriving belatedly in LA should not be a problem for Beckham and the LA squad, it is a scenario both parties are familiar with - Beckham will be missing some of the pre-season games that The Galaxy have lined up - but whether he would have benefited from attending a 7-1 drubbing of a University team is probably not even worth discussing...

Beckham could have a future at Spurs

Seems like a story has been made from a non-committal quote by Harry Redknapp - a story has been printed by The Independant implying that Harry would be keen to sign Beckham at the end of the year.

In fact, Harry's quote is more like him not ruling out the possibility rather than him putting the proposal forward. However, his sentiments are no doubt sincere, he thinks Beckham would enhance his squad, so maybe there is a chance. Personally, I always thought Beckham would retire after his five years in the MLS, but never say die where David Beckham is concerned.

For now, the brief flirtation with the Premier League is over as Beckham must prepare to return to Pre-season with LA Galaxy. Harry has been oozing praise for Beckham and his dedication in training over the last few weeks - just a pity he didn't get the chance to put the shirt on for the fans...