Becks At The Double

LA Galaxy remain on inconsistent form, but David Beckham's stock in America is on the rise after two stunning goals earned him the MLS Player of the Week award and his side a point in a remarkable recovery from two goals behind at Real Salt Lake over the weekend. Ruud Gullitt's team had won two and lost three of the opening five games of the 2008 campaign and it looked like they were going to waste the momentum they built up during last week's 5-2 thrashing of FC Chivas as they fell behind early on at Salt Lake.

Exposing their opponents clear defensive frailties, Salt Lake started the brighter and raced into a two goal lead inside the opening eighteen minutes. Argentine striker Fabian Espindola hit the first, knocking home a great first-time shot from Javier Morales' long ball into the box seven minutes in, before former Gretna forward Kenny Duechar grabbed the second shortly after, planting an unstoppable header into the top right hand corner of the net from another Morales assist.

Galaxy were being thoroughly outplayed, but against the run of play, Beckham forced them back into the match. The England star received the ball on the far right of the area and he curled a stunner into the top corner to make it 2-1 nine minutes from the break.