WASHINGTON — David Beckham's Major League Soccer debut must have felt just like home.
In a downpour that made the RFK Stadium field resemble a soggy ground back in England, Beckham played the final 21 minutes in the Los Angeles Galaxy's 1-0 loss to D.C. United last night.
The crowd roared and flashbulbs popped every time the 32-year-old English midfielder touched the ball, but he wasn't able to make much of an impact for a Galaxy team that was shut out for the second consecutive game.
Beckham, his left ankle healing from a June injury, did get to try one free kick, but it from 40 yards out - too far to "bend it like Beckham" and into the goal - so he served it into the penalty area, where Carlos Pavon headed the ball over the crossbar.
Beckham also played a pass half the length of the field ahead to Landon Donovan, who tripped over United goalkeeper Troy Perkins at the corner of the penalty area in the chase. Beckham raised both arms, angry that a foul wasn't called. And two minutes into injury time, he lofted a ball for Pavon into the area.
The sellout crowd of 46,686 cheered when Beckham stripped off his warm-up jacket and T-shirt, displaying his bare chest in a steady rain as he prepared to enter the game in the second half. The three-time World Cup veteran, his hair closely cropped and stubble on his face, then put on his jersey, with the number 23, and replaced Quavas Kirk in the 72nd minute.
His appearance was the latest milestone in his move to the United States, a signing that has created unprecedented publicity for a league that hopes to elevate itself above niche status in a crowded sports landscape.
The game's only goal was scored by Luciano Emilio in the 27th minute, his league-leading 13th goal. The Galaxy finished a man short after midfielder Kyle Martino was ejected for a hard tackle on Fred in the 67th minute.
Beckham's debut had been delayed by a sprained ankle suffered while playing for England on June 6 and he aggravated it in his Real Madrid finale 11 days later. Since joining the Galaxy, he had played in only one match -- a 16-minute appearance as a substitute in an exhibition against England's Chelsea.
Beckham had since left fans disappointed by missing all three of the Galaxy's SuperLiga games as well as last Sunday's goalless draw at Toronto.
Beckham emerged from the home baseball dugout at RFK Stadium shortly before kickoff, waved a few times to the crowd, then took his seat on the bench. He was also the only Galaxy substitute to wear his warm-up jacket on the bench, despite the oppressive August humidity.
The crowd roared with approval when Beckham got off the bench and began warming up in the 36th minute. He skipped, stretched and ran light sprints along the sideline for the rest of the first half, even as a brief, light rain began to fall. The rain returned and became heavy in the second half, but that didn't deter Beckham from continuing his warm-ups as the game progressed.
