Angel´s goal lifts Red Bulls to victory over Beckham´s Galaxy

Juan Pablo Angel scored his first goal of the Major League Soccer season Saturday to deliver a 2-1 victory for the New York Red Bulls over David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Angel’s 78th-minute strike came just a minute after Alan Gordon had equalized for the Galaxy.

Colombian Angel, who was the leading scorer in MLS last season with 19 goals, collected a pass from Dane Richards and beat Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin.

South African Danleigh Borman had opened the scoring in the 21st minute, his first professional goal giving New York a 1-0 lead.

Borman’s goal came after Red Bulls’ teenage star Jozy Altidore fired a shot that was blocked by Cronin. The rebound bounced toward the unmarked Borman who slotted it home.

The Red Bulls were able to stifle Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, whose only real chance in the opening half was a late run into the penalty area that came to nothing.

Red Bulls defender Kevin Goldthwaite was booked in the 75th minute after he knocked Donovan down from behind some 40 yards out.

Beckham sent the ensuing free kick into the penalty area, but Luke Sassano cleared the ball to end the danger.

Beckham’s free kick in the 60th minute was punched away by Red Bulls keeper Jon Conway.

Beckham had been booked in the 67th minute after a tough challenge on Dave van den Bergh – the yellow card provoking a storm of boos from the crowd at the Home Depot Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.