Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers: Rating David Beckham's Performance

Had this occurred against the New York Red Bulls, Los Angeles Galaxy fans would expect David Beckham to be on Team Great Britain in lieu of Ryan Giggs or Craig Bellamy. 

Alas, it was not be. With his Olympic dream now a fleeting memory, reduced to meaningless dust, David Beckham left the Portland Timbers in the dust with his best performance of the season en route to a 5-3 goal festival victory for L.A.

In the 19th minute, a few short passes by the Galaxy found Beckham, who delivered a strike from 35 yards out. Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins knew he was going to face the L.A. firing squad after Kris Boyd delivered the first shot three minutes in.

And he was helpless to stop it. A blind dive, and Perkins could only watch as Beckham extended his arms to the heavens, his own personal Jesus made manifest in the flesh. 1-1.

Then, five minutes late, Beckham delivered a curling set piece inside the bottom left corner. All throughout his career, Beckham's bending volleys have been a problem for many a netminder, and Perkins was no exception. 2-1.

In the second half, Beckham was in provider mode. He delivered a through ball to Sean Franklin, who sent a cross to a waiting Robbie Keane in the 64th minute to make it 5-2 Galaxy.

Unfortunately, a knock to the head in the 79th minute meant that Beckham's night was cut short as a precaution, and in the 82nd minute, he was subbed out for the tall and lanky Bryan Gaul.

But in spite of the substitution, the damage had already been done. Beckham's brace was part of a slew of first-half goals by the Galaxy in the space of 10 minutes. Combined with some fantastic play defensively, this will go down as David Beckham's best performance of the season as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Rating: 9/10