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United-Galaxy Preview

Sep 17, 2010 - 8:27 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Senior Writer

D.C. (5-16-3) at Los Angeles (14-5-5), 10:30 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Galaxy snapped a rare three-game winless drought and took over the MLS points lead in their latest match.

More significant than three points was a surprising return.

David Beckham made his season debut last weekend as a reserve, and the superstar midfielder may find himself in the same role Saturday as the Galaxy host D.C. United.

Beckham tore his Achilles' tendon March 14, an injury that ensured he'd miss the 2010 World Cup and put any chance of playing for Los Angeles (14-5-5) in 2010 in doubt.

As it turned out, he didn't even miss six months. Beckham returned last Saturday in the Galaxy's 3-1 win over Columbus, playing 20 minutes off the bench.

"It's kind of remarkable that he's back on the field in such a short period of time," coach Bruce Arena said. "To put the kind of effort in to come back at his age is inspiring for our players to see. By the end of the season, we want him playing 90 minutes."

That won't happen yet, and based on Beckham's description of his first action since mid-March, it could be a while before he's ready to start.

"After 10 minutes on the field, I thought like I was dying," said Beckham, who entered in the 70th minute and received a yellow card for a dangerous foul four minutes later. "But I came through it, felt good after that and finished strong."

Arena said he plans to build Beckham from 20 minutes to 45, making another appearance as a second-half substitute most likely for this match.

Lost in Beckham's return was an impressive performance by the team's other offensive stars. Edson Buddle scored his league-leading 14th goal - two fewer than D.C. has as a team - and Landon Donovan had two assists to increase his total to an MLS-best 14.

With the win, Los Angeles jumped three points ahead of Columbus and defending champion Real Salt Lake in the race for the Supporters' Shield.

Hosting league-worst United (5-16-3) seems to give the Galaxy a fantastic opportunity to increase their lead, but Arena's not sure that's the case. Three of Los Angeles' five losses have come to Eastern Conference teams currently outside of playoff position.

"We have a harder time with teams down in the standings than teams at the top of the standings," Arena told the Galaxy's official website. "If we don't play well and hard for 90 minutes, we'll lose the game.

"I think if anybody knows that it's our team. Hopefully we've learned from previous letdowns."

D.C.'s latest effort should ensure Los Angeles isn't looking ahead. Defender Julius James scored in the 81st minute to lift United to a 1-0 win Saturday at Toronto's BMO Field, typically one of the league's toughest venues for visitors.

"We've been working really, really hard and trying to keep each other positive," James said after scoring against his former team. "It's difficult to do in a year like this, but the best thing that could happen to us is a win."

Donovan scored in the Galaxy's 2-1 win at D.C. on July 18, his sixth goal in the series' last four games.