SPORTS> Soccer
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SPORTS> Soccer
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Beckham back as Galaxy beat Red Bulls 3-1
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-18 10:30
"I became a better coach with the addition of David Beckham," the Galaxy's Bruce Arena said. Former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel scored a consolation penatly for New York in the 87th-minute, but missed from the spot in the 90th. The Red Bulls have just two points from their past 11 games. "I feel sorry and I want to apologize to the fans," coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. Beckham appeared to go out of his way to be friendly with Donovan, who in a new book criticized his teammate as unprofessional for allegedly quitting on the Galaxy in the late stages of a disappointing 2008 season. Beckham and Donovan, who regained his captain's job from the Englishman, shook hands and embraced ahead of the opening whistle. Beckham draped his arm around Donovan after the American scored, and the two hugged after Donovan set up the third goal. "There was never a doubt in our minds that these guys would work together," Arena said. "It was certainly a great moment with all the buildup of the so-called questionable relationship." Donovan had come to New York on a red-eye after attending an awards ceremony in Los Angeles. "It's not often that soccer is on the front of people's minds in this country, and right now it seems to be," Donovan said, "not necessarily for the right reasons the last couple of weeks, but people are talking about it, and that's good." Beckham is likely to return to Europe at the start of 2010 to press his claims for a berth in England's World Cup squad, but for now was concentrating on the Galaxy. "We're playing with players that have got a lot of confidence," Beckham said. "They're not scared to do stuff on their own. They don't feel as if they have to give the ball to certain players in attacking positions because they can do it themselves." |
