Beckham makes 1st start for Galaxy, but Red Bulls earn 2-0 win
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David Beckham made his first start of the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a 2-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Friday night.
Dane Richards and Juan Pablo Angel scored as the Red Bulls (13-8-5) moved into a first-place tie with Columbus in the Eastern Conference with the win over Los Angeles (15-6-5).
Richards gave New York a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Joel Lindpere's 11-yard line drive ricocheted off the left post to Richards, who converted from 7 yards.
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Angel scored his 13th goal of the season in the 60th minute on a penalty kick after Galaxy defender Yohance Marshall tripped Richards from behind in the penalty area.
Angel trails Los Angeles' Edson Buddle by one goal in the race for the goal-scoring championship.
Beckham, who played the entire game, had his best chance to score in the 66th minute on a 32-yard free kick. But goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul jumped in front of the left post to punch the ball away. Coundoul finished with three saves for his ninth shutout.
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Beckham had played twice in the past two weeks as a substitute since tearing his left Achilles' tendon while with AC Milan in March.
Thierry Henry did not make the trip because of a sprained right knee.
Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez also missed the game with a suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards.