Becks makes MLS debut in Galaxy defeat

DAVID BECKHAM admitted he was delighted to finally get onto the pitch after making his long-awaited MLS debut for Los Angeles Galaxy last night.

The England midfielder made his first appearance in a competitive game in front of a sell-out crowd of 46,686 at RFK Stadiumas when he came on as a 72nd-minute substitute in the 1-0 loss to DC United.

"It was a good night, but it was also a bad night," Beckham said. "Obviously, there's been a certain amount of pressure because everyone is talking about how I've come to MLS and not played yet. I feel pressure in myself to get fit and to get back playing again.

"It's not nice to disappoint people who have paid a lot of money to come and see you, so it was good to get on the pitch."

Although clearly a little ring-rusty, Beckham showed few ill effects of the ankle injury which has delayed this day for so long, and he went crunching into two tackles almost as soon as he came onto the field. The injury has not gone away, however.

"It was tender," he said of the ankle. "I haven't played on it for eight weeks, I haven't trained on it for eight weeks.

There will be some reaction tomorrow, but this was a big, important step for me."