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Galaxy crushed in opener
30/03/2008 15:48 - (SA)
Commerce City - David Beckham made
a losing start to his second season in Major League Soccer when
his Los Angeles Galaxy were crushed 4-0 by the Colorado Rapids
on Saturday.
Beckham played a full 90 minutes in the Galaxy's season
opener but was unable to prevent the home side from completing
a resounding victory.
"It is always going to be tough when you travel when you
have got international games," Beckham told reporters. "It is
always tough when you are back from England and you are
adjusting to the time difference.
"I felt OK for most of the match but I was maybe not at my
sharpest and maybe the altitude had something to do with that."
Terry Cooke opened the scoring for Colorado after 10 minutes.
The Galaxy went further behind after an hour when defender
Abel Xavier was adjudged to have fouled Rapids forward Omar
Cummings inside the penalty area. Christian Gomez converted the
spot-kick after furious protestations for the visiting players.
"I find it hard not to criticise some of the decisions
tonight but I've been told I'll be fined if I do," said
Beckham. "But certain decisions change games. I think that has
happened tonight."
Omar Cummings and Colin Clarke completed the rout in the
second half.
Beckham, in his first game since reaching 100 international
caps for England on Wednesday, played in a variety of different
positions as head coach Ruud Gullit tried in vain to find a
successful formation.
Xavier was sent off late in the game for using abusive
language towards referee Abiodun Okulaja and Colorado
substitute Ciaran O'Brien was also dismissed after a foul on
Carlos Ruiz.
- Reuters
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