Galaxy 1 AC Milan 1

As the first half ended, it appeared a fan in the area near the player’s tunnel where the Riot Squad sit were waving a David Beckham jersey at Becks, baiting him, and someone came out of the stands and went after Beckham. Security subdued the fan and took him away.

That silliness aside it was an entertaining first half, proving an MLS team can compete with a top European one – as long as it’s the said European powers’ first game of the season and they are not playing all their starters.

Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter may have had the best two looks at the Galaxy goal. An errant 12th minute header from 12 yards out required a good save by Donovan Ricketts to tip it over the bar and a long 40-yard back pass Ricketts mistakenly allowed to bounce in the area went narrowly wide of the goal.

The Galaxy probably should be in front: Eddie Lewis was the target for a pinpoint 60-yard Beckham pass, but managed to pull it wide with a shot from about 18 yards despite plenty of time.

Beckham was booed every time he touched the ball at the outset of the half, but his fans started to cheer at the same time in an effort to compensate.

Still, given what happened just before the break, Beckham still has a ways to go to convince some fans about his commitment to the Galaxy.

BTW, each team managed just one shot apiece on target.

AC Milan were tiring noticeably as the half wore on; expect wholesale changes to start the second.