CARSON, Calif. (AP) — David Beckham sent in crosses that led to two first-half goals and then curled home a corner kick for a goal of his own to help the Los Angeles Galaxy open CONCACAF Champions League play with a 5-2 victory over El Salvador’s Isidro Metapan on Thursday night.
Nicolas Munoz gave Metapan the lead in the 17th-minute following a defensive breakdown, but Beckham’s crosses led to Ricardo Alvarado’s own goal in the 20th minute and Robbie Keane’s go-ahead header in the 22nd.
Beckham added the third in first-half stoppage time, bending in a corner kick off goalkeeper Fidel Mondragon’s hands, and Juninho scored in the 82nd minute and in stoppage as Los Angeles took the Group 5 lead.
Munoz converted an 87th-minute penalty kick for Metapan (1-1-0).
Keane was sent off in the 70th minute. Mexican referee Alfredo Penaloza cautioned the Irish striker after he was tripped above Metapan’s box, then pulled out the red card as Keane stormed away, signaling for a substitution.
