Beckham guides Galaxy into final

David Beckham enjoyed a dream first start for the Los Angeles Galaxy with a trademark free-kick goal and an assist to send his new team on the way to the inaugural SuperLiga final with a victory over DC United at the Home Depot Center on Wednesday.

Beckham was a surprise starter given the ankle problems that had restricted him to just two brief substitute's appearances in his first month in America.

He played 63 minutes against DC United, scoring one goal and making another before being subbed midway through the second half and immediately having his troublesome left ankle wrapped in ice as he watched the rest of the game from the Galaxy bench.

Beckham was also handed the captaincy at Landon Donovan's expense by Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop and rose to the occasion with a bending 28th minute free-kick that left DC United keeper Troy Perkins helpless as it crashed into the net.

Beckham, who had been booked in the first half for a reckless tackle on DC captain Jaime Moreno, followed his goal with a perfect pass out of midfield two minutes after the restart which Donovan took to the edge of the area before slotting home to double the Galaxy lead as the LA side secured a August 29 final against Mexican champions CF Pachuca.