David Beckhams return to Major League Soccer was a low-key affair, the star midfielder barely factoring into the Los Angeles Galaxys 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. Playing in a stadium nearly three-quarters empty, Beckham looked sluggish, making no significant crosses, taking no free-kick opportunities near the goal and not even taking all of the Galaxys corner kicks. The most important thing is for us to get three points, and tonight we did that in style, Beckham said. It was Beckhams first MLS match since the finish of the Italian League season on May 31. The 34-year-old former England captain had been loaned by the Galaxy to AC Milan with the proviso that he return for the entire 2009 MLS season, but he got his stay in Europe extended. Some fans clearly still felt the lure of his fame, angling for pictures when he did take a corner kick, but many booed when Beckham came out of the match in the 70th minute. A few tonight, but its to be expected, he said of the jeers. Its sometimes nice to get the boos. It gives you some inspiration. Not only was Beckhams belated return to the MLS seen by many as a slap in the face to US football, but a squabble with Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan has further sullied his return. Beckham appeared to go out of his way to be friendly with Donovan, who criticized his teammate in a book published this week, charging Beckham failed to give his all for the Galaxy in the latter stages of their disappointing 2008 campaign. Beckham and Donovan, who has resumed his role as captain after the armband was stripped from the Englishman, shook hands and embraced prior to Thursdays kickoff.
