New York Gets A Kick Out Of Bending It Like Beckham

Red Bulls Beat L.A. Galaxy 5-4 At Giants Stadium As Soccer Icon Makes Long Awaited Visit

By John Mooney

After months of hype, David Beckham played his first Major League Soccer (MLS) game at Giants Stadium as the Red Bulls beat the visiting LA Galaxy 5-4 on Saturday night in an exciting, but frequently sloppy, contest.

America's best-known soccer import did not disappoint the record crowd of 66,237 - a figure over 50,000 more than the Red Bulls' average attendance. The unusually high score, included two headers by LA's Carlos Pavon of the Galaxy following

Beckham corner kicks and two goals each by the Red Bulls' 18-year-old New Jersey native Jozy Altidore and captain Juan Pablo Angel, a former Aston Villa player. Goals also were scored by two of greatest U.S.-born players, Landon Donovan of the Galaxy and Clint Mathis of the Red Bulls, and by LA reserve Edson Buddle.

It was the first time Beckham played an entire game for the Galaxy. His injured left ankle has plagued him since his arrival from across the Atlantic. The Galaxy are looking for Beckham's offensive abilities to halt their lackluster season. The team is 3-8-5 and won't make the playoffs unless it starts winning - a disappointment for LA and for the MLS overall, which wants to showcase its biggest star as much as possible.

"We're disappointed because we lost the game but there's a lot we can take away from here," said Beckham at the post-game press conference. "We have a team that wants to win, and that's a positive."

Sales of the superstar's number 23 jersey were brisk - even at the $90 asking price. However, the crowd backed the home team and booed the Galaxy captain when he lined up to boot his trademark corner kicks. That didn't stop the incessant flashes from cameras as fans sought to capture photographs of Beckham "bending it." After the game, the MLS's new superstar applauded the crowd and took off his shirt , which elicited squeals from the females in the stands.

"They witnessed an exciting game and it was great for the league and for both teams to play in an atmosphere like that," Beckham said following the contest. "Both teams made it exciting for the people who paid their money, but we're disappointed to come away with no points."

Harlem Globetrotter

It certainly is a busy stretch for Beckham. In addition to his MLS debut at the Meadowlands, he held a clinic for youngsters in Harlem on Friday. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star attracted a large crowd in a neighborhood more famous for its basketball courts than its soccer pitches.

"We can raise it (soccer) to a level that's higher than it's ever been, and eventually kids with the greatest ability will come out of places like Harlem because they're hungry to win and get a better life," said Beckham who autographed soccer balls and other sports equipment for the kids.

Despite reinjuring his troublesome ankle on Giants Stadium's artificial turf, Beckham made plans to fly home to play for England in Wednesday's exhibition against Germany at Wembley Stadium. He'll then turn around and fly back to Los Angeles to rejoin the Galaxy for a game against Chivas USA.

"My ankle took a pounding, obviously, and it's more swollen now than it was before the game, but I'm sure it will be fine for the game on Wednesday," he said.

After showering and meeting with the press, the nattily dressed Beckham stopped to sign autographs and pose for pictures with a few dozen fans who awaited him near the team bus.

The superstar has polite, congenial and patient in waiting for friends to snap pictures on their cell phones. Several female fans were shaking with excitement after being photographed with one of the world's most famous men.