Galaxy’s Beckham draws a crowd in tie

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With a mix of cheers and boos, David Beckham heard it from the crowd whenever he touched the ball for the Galaxy.

Beckham and the Galaxy needed a goal in second-half injury time to tie the New York Red Bulls, 2-2, on Saturday in front 46,754 fans, the largest crowd for a single Major League Soccer game this year.

“We had some people here cheering for me and cheering for the Galaxy,” Beckham said. “There were some boos out there as well. It’s almost like playing in Europe. You always get something from the opposing fans. I think it’s part and parcel for being an opposing player.”

Landon Donovan stole some of the spotlight from his teammate when he knocked in a bending shot in the 92nd minute that was intended to be a crossing pass but found its way past Jon Conway and into the net for the tying goal.

It was Donovan’s 12th goal of the season, tops in MLS.

Donovan just missed scoring the winning goal less than a minute later, but his left-footed strike hit the left post.

The tie kept both teams on winless streaks. The Red Bulls (5-6-6) have not won in almost a month, going 0-2-2 since last winning June 21. The Galaxy (6-6-5) is 0-2-3 in its last five games.

Beckham didn’t officially get on the score sheet, but the international star made his presence felt, helping the Galaxy get on the scoreboard first. He collected a ball near midfield, then made a brilliant 40-yard forward pass to teammate Edson Buddle.

Buddle maneuvered past two defenders, then crossed to Carlos Ruiz, who headed the ball past Conway for the game’s first goal in the 29th minute.

Beckham had a golden opportunity to score when he took a direct free kick from 22 yards in the 22nd minute, but his attempt was fired into the Red Bulls’ defensive wall.

“Sometimes you score and sometimes you don’t,” Beckham said. “That’s just the way it is. It’s not always about me. As long as goals are coming from other people, that’s all that matters.”