David Beckham's much ballyhooed trip to Colorado was spoiled by a gritty host side as the Colorado Rapids thumped the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 in the 2008 MLS season opener for both clubs at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Beckham missed last year's Galaxy trip to Commerce City but played all 90 minutes on Saturday. The buzz surrounding his visit to Colorado this time around was grand as the Rapids packed in a stadium-record 18,713 fans to watch the former England captain lead the Galaxy against the Rapids.
Terry Cooke scored in the first half for the hosts while Christian Gomez, Omar Cummings and Colin Clark added second-half goals to punctuate the Rapids' victory.
The match featured plenty of firsts for the storied Galaxy. Carlos Ruiz and Landon Donovan played together with the Galaxy for the first time, while Beckham played his first game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Also for the first time, Cobi Jones was not a part of the Galaxy roster on Opening Day, as the Galaxy legend turned assistant coach took his seat next to first-year Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit on the bench.
For the Galaxy, draft picks left back Michael Gavin and midfielder Ely Allen as well as Alvaro Pires made their Galaxy debuts as the trio started the match.
Ruiz took the first Galaxy shot as he ran onto a bouncing ball on the left corner of the box and tested Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul, but the ball sailed softly in Coundoul's arms.
The hosts opened their account in the 10th minute, though. After Galaxy defender Abel Xavier gave away a free kick on the left side of the penalty area. Gomez lined up the free kick but it hit the wall. However, John DiRaimondo played the ball through to the right side of the area, where Gomez again lined up a shot. The ball caromed off the post but bounced right back out to Terry Cooke, who ripped the ball into the back of the net past Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin's outstretched arms.
Beckham had two tries from the right side of the field but each of his crosses wound up in Coundoul's arms. Beckham had another go with a free kick from some 40 yards out. The ball skipped across the area but Donovan couldn't find a handle on the ball on the far post.
Seconds later, though, the Rapids gave away yet another free kick, from 35 yards out this time. Beckham put the ball inside the six-yard box and Rapids defender Facundo Erpen cleared it over the end line. The ensuing corner kick, though, went nowhere.
Ruiz and Donovan ran onto a ball inside the area in the 34th minute. Donovan tried to flick it past Coundoul, who was well off his line and made the save. However, Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura slid into Coundoul and the 'keeper lay in apparent pain for more than one minute before getting to his feet.
At halftime, Gullit made a pair of changes as he swapped in Alan Gordon and Brandon McDonald for Allen and Peter Vagenas.
The game began to slip away from the Galaxy when Xavier was whistled for a foul inside the penalty area as he was ruled to have fouled Rapids forward Omar Cummings from behind. Xavier protested vehemently and was booked for his moment of anger by referee Abbey Okulaja.
Gomez stepped to the spot and buried the ensuing spot kick into the back of the net for his first goal in a Rapids uniform.
Gullit made his final substitution in the 65th minute when he replaced Gavin with Troy Roberts. Right back Chris Klein moved to the midfield as the Galaxy went with a three-man backline in hopes of sending more players in search of goals. However, it was Colorado who took advantage. In the 67th minute, Cummings broke in alone on Cronin and scored the Rapids' third goal of the game.
The Rapids punctuated their victory in the 80th minute when Clark darted his way past Xavier and slipped a six-yard shot under Cronin.
Xavier was sent off in the 89th minute after apparently bumping referee Okulaja after Xavier fouled Ciaran O'Brien. One minute later, O'Brien took out Ruiz from behind and was given a red card as well as both side finished the game with 10 men.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
