Travel-weary David Beckham plays, but L.A. Galaxy still falls

The well-traveled David Beckham did play on Saturday, after all.

Just not very much.

Beckham’s 74th–minute introduction was just one of the fascinating subplots Saturday as the Galaxy and Chivas USA renewed their rivalry, the Home Depot Center derby – albeit one that’s lost some sheen, in all honesty.

The league’s brightest star couldn’t get enough going as his team fell – continues to fall – to rival Chivas USA, 1-0.

Beckham, remember, traveled extensively for MLS games last week, then jetted over to Greece and then into England as part of the Olympic torch ceremonies. He got into Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, in time for the evening kickoff but surely not equipped with sufficient vim and vigor to play a full 90.

Beckham did manufacture a couple of dangerous minutes as the Galaxy, reduced to 10 after David Junior Lopes’ ejection for a hand ball along the Los Angeles goal line, tried desperately to rally.

Beckham’s best moment: one of his signature, projectile passes bound for Chad Barrett about 50-yards away very nearly produced an equalizer. Danny Califf, debuting along the Chivas back line needed to be quick and precise to intercede in that one.

Later, a Beckham free kick from a dangerous spot (usually when Beckham is at his very best) lacked zip and fell short of the targets.

More talking points on this game later. For now, here are the Galaxy-Chivas USA highlights.

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