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Minus Beckham, Galaxy fall to Rapids

Aug 27, 2007 - 2:42 AM COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy sure could have used David Beckham on Sunday night.

With Beckham unavailable due to fatigue, the Galaxy watched Colin Clark, Mike Petke and Conor Casey tally first-half goals in a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids.

Beckham, who scored a goal in the SuperLiga championships and has tallied two assists in MLS play, did not make the trip after playing three games in six days.

Beckham had two assists in a 5-4 loss to New York on August 18, then traveled to England for a friendly with Germany on Wednesday, before playing in Thursday's 3-0 loss to Chivas USA.

"I have to give him (Beckham) credit," Colorado coach Fernando Clavijo said. "(A) game on Wednesday, game on Thursday and I am telling you right now, he got my respect for what he tried to do, for his commitment to U.S. Soccer and pretty much sacrificing himself and playing two games, which is almost impossible to do.

"As a team, it was a challenge today because sometimes you play to the same level as the team you are playing and when you don't have the superstars, you tend to let your guard down and you pay the price for it. But that was not the case today."

Colorado (8-9-5), which has won three straight, got on the board in the 26th minute as Casey put on a spectacular dribbling display, weaving through defenders and beating goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the left side for a 1-0 lead.

"Conor Casey the last two games has been superb," Clavijo said. "Last game he wasn't able to see his name on the scoring sheet but tonight he was. He does a lot of little stuff and creates and that is why we brought him in."

In the 34th minute, Clark stretched the lead to 2-0 by collecting a loose ball in the penalty area and blasting it straight on into the net.

Terry Cook played the ball in from the right wing and a Galaxy defender slipped on the play, leaving the ball lying in the middle of the penalty area for Clark.

"I think the ball got played through and I was kind of alone but had a bad angle and was able to cut back and put the ball in the net," Clark said.

Petke capped the scoring in the 43rd minute as he gathered a corner kick in traffic, faked to the right and blasted the ball past a sliding defender into the middle of the goal.

"It was nice to get the third goal," Petke said. "At the time it kind of put the away. Anything can happen but a three-goal lead is great going into halftime. Personally it was a great feeling. I think I have 11 or 12 goals but I haven't scored in about three years. I guess it's not time to hang them up yet."

Los Angeles (3-10-5), which has lost four straight, managed just six shots and only one on goal.