Galaxy 1 Houston Dynamo 0

With Beckham out of the picture, it fell to Donovan to star in this home game against Houston. It was right on half-time when Houston gave away a penalty for handball in the area and Donovan coolly slotted the ball away sending the keeper the wrong way.

Before that, chances had been few and far between, with The Galaxy maybe slightly in the ascendency.

In the second half, galaxy pressed Houston and established superiority in the game without ever getting that second goal. Birchall came close near the end having carried the ball through the defence, his finishing left a great deal to be desired.

It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that anything like a threat on the Galaxy goal actually materialised, but nothing that the Galaxy defence could not match.

The game finishes 1-0, a good result if not a great performance, Donovan departs for international duty for a few weeks, but Beckham returns for the next game against New England Revolution on Saturday.

Manchester United 1 Juventus 2 (Gary Neville testimonial)

Beckham has been given a few days off to take part in Gary Nevilles testimonial at Old Trafford. Beckham joined both of the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, Rooney, Giggs, Scholes and Michael Owen amongst others - bizarrely both Owen and Beckham wore a no. 7 shirt...

United got off to a good start when Rooney put them one-up after just 18 minutes, Juve got one back before the end of the first half, and a Beckham foul led to a superb 'Beckham-esque' freekick to take Juve a goal ahead with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.

Overall the game was taken reasonably seriously although without the tempo of a truly competitive event. No-one was dragged out of retirement to make a token appearance - all the players who took part are fully functioning full-time professionals, a surprising amount of Man United youngsters were honoured with an appearance too.

Beckham flies back to join his team on Thursday to prepare for the weekends MLS action, he will miss tomorrows game as he did last time LA had a mid-week game.

Chivas 0 Galaxy 1

More good work this weekend sees The Galaxy beating in-form Chivas 1-0. The first half was a seemingly fairly even affair with chances at either end until 25 minutes in. A Beckham free kick unlocked the Chivas defence and found Barretts head for the first and only goal of the game. Taken from a similar position to last weeks Beckham goal, this time he opted for an assist...

Just minutes into the second half, Chad Barrett wasted the chance to score a second, hitting the side netting after taking the ball around the keeper. The game remained tight with just a few chances for either side - a typical local derby in which neither team could establish a real tangible hold. The score remained intact until the final whistle, and Chivas are still chasing a win against The Galaxy, a treat they last enjoyed in 2007.

The two teams meet again in October when Galaxy host Chivas.

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.

Philadelphia Union 1 LA Galaxy 1

Beckham was rested for this outing to Philly as Bruce Arena wants him fit for the weekend, a tactic that almost paid off after Landon Donovan put The Galaxy in the driving seat after 23 minutes. Angel got into the box, but was losing his balance, Donovan stepped in to pick up the loose ball and his scuffed shot somehow managed to evade everyone and ended up in the back of the net. Few real chances were created and the game remained at 1-0 to The Galaxy right up to the last few minutes. With just 7 minutes remaining on the clock, it was a defensive howler that let Philadelphia back into the game. Franklin sold his keeper short with a terrible back-pass that played almost to the feet of the Philly striker Mwanga who gratefully took the chance to level the game. Neither team could find the winning move, so the game finished at 1 - 1, a very disappointing result for The Galaxy who should have taken all the points from this game even though their own goal was a bit of a mix-up.

We can't know that leaving Beckham out was a telling factor, but we can see that The Galaxy were missing something in this match - hopefully they will restore the missing link before Kansas City come calling on Saturday.

LA Galaxy 1 New York Bulls 1

A goal each for Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan at the Home Depot Centre sees these two big hitters settle for a draw. Both goals came in the first half, Henry scoring only a little after three minutes had elapsed. Donovan replied on 40 minutes after a corner from Beckham who adds to his assists yet again. Before the half time whistle went, Donovan squandered an exceptional chance after taking the ball past the keeper after a far-sighted Beckham pass found him in no-mans land. Donovan's final shot was too weak and a Bulls defender was able to slide in and hack the ball off the line in the nick of time.
The second half bought plenty of chances, Donovan Ricketts had to stay strong in the LA goal-mouth to keep the Bulls out and Galaxy peppered the New York goal, but the final result was an honorable draw.
La play again on Wednesday this coming week - the return match against the Union in Philadelphia.

FC Dallas 2 LA Galaxy 1

Beckham makes it back from the Royal Wedding to take part in the starting lineup for the game against FC Dallas. Again, in his more central role, Beckham lines up with both Angel and Donovan the first time this season that all three have started a game.

The first half is not a very pretty affair with plenty of clumsy challenges and missed passes from both sides. Beckham had two free-kicks but used both as chances to set up colleagues rather than take a chance for himself. The weather is not helping on this cold and windy evening - the ground is proving slippery, plenty of players losing their footing at vital moments.

Neither team rose above the other in the first half, hopefully the second half will bring some better football.

The second half brings goals right from the start, Dallas scoring after 3 minutes, LA replying through Donovan just 3 minutes later. The paces intensifies as the focus sharpens on getting the vital next goal. On 52 minutes, Beckham strikes from the half-way line narrowly missing the goal. As the hour comes up, it brings intense torrential rain. On 67 minutes Dallas narrowly miss taking the lead. The rain ceases, but the pitch remains wet and the ball is zipping around. Beckham has moved to his more traditional right wing to send in some deliveries as the clock ticks down. However, the weather intervenes on 83 mins as the first flash of lightning causes the ref to halt the game with just seven minutes left on the clock.

The game resumed an hour later with Beckham replaced by Chris Birchall - two minutes from the end Dallas snatched a winner to end this unsatisfying game with a 2-1 lead. The Galaxy will need to show some improvement if they plan to hang around the top of the league this season.

LA Galaxy 3 Portland Timbers 0

Back at full strength with Beckham and Donovan back in the side, LA gave The Timbers a lesson in attacking football. Chad Barrett opened the scoring with a magnificent effort set up by the combination of Beckham and Donovan. Teeing his own volley by bouncing the ball off his shoulder, Barrett gave the keeper no chance from the edge of the box.

Just 3 minutes later, Donovan is fouled in the box and converts the penalty ending his personal goal-drought.

It's half an hour on the clock before Ricketts has a save to make, demonstrating how LA are dominating this game. Magee has a good left-foot effort saved before the break, and Galaxy go in 2-0 up at half-time.

Gonzalez has a header from a Beckham corner saved on the line, and Donovan doubles his tally with a header from Angel on 67 minutes. Although the game is up for Portland, they show some fighting spirit and Ricketts is called into action twice during a 10 minute spell between 70 and 80 mins - once saving with his hand, once with his foot from point blank range.

Despite Portlands best efforts, The Galaxy pull off a rare complete shut-out and end the game 3-0 up.

Chicago Fire 1 LA Galaxy 2

With a depleted squad, Galaxy managed a goal in each half, one on 42 mins from Chad Barrett (an ex-employee of The Fire), and one on 72 mins from Gonzalez. Barrett had earlier had one disallowed on 35 mins, but generally there were chances at either end throughout the match.

In the 89th minute, Chicago pulled one back, but they had left it too late for getting any points out of the game, so The Galaxy come off their three-game 'tour' with 5 points out of a possible 9, and are looking in good shape to remain in the upper echelons of the league table. Technically, this result takes LA to the top of the table, but with the number of games 'in hand' that other teams have (especially Real Salt Lake with the same number of points and three games in hand!), the table is not really representative of reality at the moment.

Saturday sees The Galaxy return to their home ground to take on the Portland Timbers - Beckham should be back, maybe Donovan too, time for the experienced players to put a good shift in!

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.