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Beckham, L.A. hope to build on first win against TFC

Sat 12th, April 2008

Carson, CA (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham was able to describe his mood after last week's win over San Jose with two simple words: "I'm happy."

Beckham, who had his first season in Major League Soccer cut short because of injuries, scored his first goal and added an assist in a 2-0 victory over San Jose.

"It's great to score a goal. I love scoring goals," said Beckham, the former English captain.

Beckham and Landon Donovan, a U.S. national team star, combined on both goals. Beckham scored the first goal off an assist from Donovan, and then set up the American on the second goal.

The duo also played well in the season-opening loss to Colorado, 4-0, but just weren't able to convert any scoring chances into goals.

The San Jose game proved Beckham and Donovan can be a very dynamic tandem, and with more time together will become even more dangerous.

"We understand the game the same way," Donovan said. "We see the game the same way. Having played and trained together now, it's made it even easier. I know where he wants the ball and how he wants the ball and he knows where I want it and how I want it."

Beckham and Donovan will try to build on their partnership Sunday when Toronto FC visits The Home Depot Center in search of its first win of the season.

As important as it is for Beckham and Donovan to spark the Galaxy offensively, Beckham and coach Ruud Gullit were pleased to see some younger players step up and contribute more against San Jose.

"Everyone always asks me about David and about Landon. Everybody knows them already," Gullit said. "For me, it's important to talk about the other players who have done extremely well for us ... I want to give a compliment especially to the youngsters who played.

"I think Sean (Franklin) played extremely well. Brandon McDonald was excellent also. Ely (Allen) did a good job. He could have scored a goal. I'm not afraid to play the young players if they're good enough," Gullit said. "The only way to get a little bit of experience is to play."

Beckham was happy the younger players got quality minutes - and it turned into a victory for the team.

"We got some young players in there, so it's important that we won," Beckham said.

Toronto FC is trying to avoid another slow start - the team was 0-4 last year in its first season in the league.

Toronto dropped its first game to Columbus, 2-0, and then lost to D.C. United, 4-1, last week.

TFC at least came away from the D.C. loss with a goal - something it failed to do in its first four games last season.

U.S. national midfielder Maurice Edu scored in the final minutes and TFC hopes it will spark the offense.

TFC also signed former French international Laurent Robert and former MLS MVP Amado Guevara in the last two weeks, and those two should provide a huge boost in midfield.

Robert made his debut last week against D.C. and was unlucky not to score.

"I think you see what you get with Laurent," TFC coach John Carver said. "He's a huge asset on set plays; he strikes a great ball. I was delighted to get so long out of him; I was surprised he lasted as long as he did. The fitter he gets the better he'll be and he'll be a huge asset for the club."

In addition to getting the offense going, Toronto needs to figure out what's wrong defensively. Carver doesn't believe there are any major problems but the team can't wait too long to get things figured out after allowing six goals in two games.

Veteran goalie Greg Sutton made a difference in goal last week - he was on the bench in favor of rookie Brian Edwards in the opener. Although Sutton allowed all four goals, he made a number of great saves.

"He was fantastic. I told him at halftime that the save he made (on an header from D.C. United's Luciano Emilio) in the first half was world-class," Carver said.

Sutton may need to make a few more quality saves this week or Beckham and L.A. will be "happy" again.

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