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Beckham returns in Galaxy's 0-0 draw with United

Aug 23, 2009 - 3:22 AM WASHINGTON (STATS) - David Beckham's return didn't result in any goals but the Los Angeles Galaxy were happy enough with the 0-0 draw against D.C. United on Saturday night.

United (6-5-11), in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and trying to return to the playoffs after missing out on postseason play last year, weren't happy at all.

"It's just disappointing," said United assistant Chad Ashton, filling in for head coach Tom Soehn, who missed the game with flu-like symptoms.

"You know you need three points in this situation and to walk away with one is deflating. We've had too many of those this year, where ties have felt like losses."

Beckham was back on the field after serving a one-game suspension for a red card given Aug. 15 against Seattle. The Galaxy beat Chicago 2-0 Wednesday without their English star but couldn't find the net in soggy conditions on the same field where Beckham made his MLS debut Aug. 9, 2007.

Los Angeles (8-4-11) is in good position, currently second in the Western Conference and heading West for three straight home games after two road games in four days.

"We're happy with the four points from the two games, more than anything," Beckham said. "You couldn't ask for any more from the players, any more effort, with traveling and playing two games in a short space of time."

D.C. - 5-0-5 at RFK Stadium - remained one of two MLS teams without a home loss, along with Columbus.

United briefly thought they had taken a lead in the eighth minute, but Luciano Emilio's goal was waved off as he was called offsides.

"I don't know for sure, but from our point of view it looked like he made a really well-timed run and it was a good goal," Ashton said.

Beckham made his presence felt nearly immediately. A long curling pass from the right side into the center of the penalty box had to be punched away in traffic by United goalkeeper Josh Wicks in the fourth minute. He also drew a yellow card on United captain Ben Olsen in the 10th minute after a collision near midfield.

Beckham also had United's final scoring chance of the night, a shot from outside the top of the penalty box in the 89th minute that Josh Wicks had to dive to save.

"He was a little bit winded, but the way David is, a game like tonight will really help get his legs under him," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "We expect nothing but good things from him."

For much of the second half, it appeared Los Angeles would be happy to play for the draw, but the Galaxy turned up the pressure in the final 10 minutes with a flurry of shots from close range.

"They started well and we knew they were going to have a lot of energy, because this was a bit of a desperation game for them," Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said. "As the game went on, we took a little bit of control. They had quite a bit of possession but we felt like we were in control."

United took 13 shots, but only placed three on goal - two coming back-to-back in the first half. Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts leaped and pushed Santino Quaranta's shot over the bar in the 37th minute, and made a save on Namoff's header one minute later on the corner kick.

"I thought especially in the conditions we could have put some more stuff on frame," Ashton said. "Maybe made it harder on Ricketts to make the saves, and pick up some scraps and just get a cheap one."