David Beckham provided an assist and won a penalty for LA Galaxy as they ran out winners against the New York Red Bulls in last night’s MLS Western Conference play-off second leg.
With the Red Bulls trailing 1–0 on aggregate after the first match of the tie, Luke Rodgers had given the side hope as he slotted home from a slide-rule Thierry Henry pass as early as the fourth minute, but a hamstring injury that forced the substitution of Teemu Tainio upset the flow and Galaxy soon had the Red Bulls on the back foot, with Irishman Robbie Keane twice seriously testing ’keeper Frank Rost in the New York net.
'I think that the way that we adjusted ourselves showed the character of our players and our team' – David Beckham
Despite a scare for David Beckham, who was left clutching his back after an accidental aerial clash with Dane Richards, the Englishman soon turned goal-provider, whipping in a trademark corner kick in the 42nd minute that landed right on the head of Mike Magee, who made it 1–1 on the night and gave Galaxy a 2–1 aggregate advantage at half-time.
Rodgers looked to have given the Red Bulls another chance in the second half, but his shot hit the side netting of Josh Saunders’ goal, and then shortly afterwards the marauding Beckham was brought down in the Red Bulls’ penalty area by Roy Miller on 73 minutes. Landon Donovan stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick and put the tie beyond the Red Bulls.
Red Bulls scorer Luke Rodgers (© Getty Images)
Afterwards, Beckham admitted that Rodgers’ goal had been a wake-up call for LA Galaxy, who lost at this same stage 12 months ago but who were unbeaten in 16 matches at The Home Depot Center, and who now face Real Salt Lake in the final:
“I think that we started off badly, and it wasn’t what we had planned, so obviously it was a disappointing start,” commented Beckham. “But I think that the way that we adjusted ourselves showed the character of our players and our team.”
'I thought we really worked hard as a team and it’s just disappointing' – Luke Rodgers
And he also spoke more about the back problem that looked like it might end his evening, or even his season, early:
“I think that I just headed the ball wrong, that was it. It was my back more than anything – I headed the ball, but obviously I have had issues with my back all season and it was just a spasm in my lower back.”
Luke Rodgers expressed frustration that the Red Bulls were unable to subdue the Beckham threat after such a promising start:
Thierry Henry (© Getty Images)
“Straight away, we come out, we’re the better team and score the goal,” said the former English Football League man. “I don’t care what team you’re on, if you’re conceding set-piece goals, you’re not going to win many games. I thought we had a great start. I thought we really worked hard as a team and it’s just disappointing. It’s hard to swallow.”
Thierry Henry was more philosophical:
“They won. They beat us at our place. They beat us at their place,” said the Frenchman. “So, at the end of the day, there’s nothing to say about it. We gave it a go.”
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