David Beckham kept his promise, but his heroic effort in returning from England duty couldn't prevent his Galaxy club falling 3-0 to Chivas USA in Major League Soccer's SuperClasico Los Angeles derby.
Beckham had played 90 minutes in England's 2-1 loss to Germany at Wembley on Wednesday, and arrived in Los Angeles with just hours to spare before starting Thursday's match.
In the wake of an 11-hour flight, Beckham took advantage of breaks in play to run to the touchline to swig water and sports drinks. A minute before halftime, a brief brawl broke out after Chivas central defender Jesse Marsch caught Beckham with a waist high tackle, and the Galaxy captain - whose entrance into the MLS has been hampered by an ankle injury - angrily confronted him.
As players from both teams rushed in, Galaxy midfielder Kevin Harmes threw a punch and was head-butted by Chivas defender Alex Zotinca. Both players were red carded by referee Terry Vaughn, and Marsch received a yellow card. Beckham returned for the start of the second half, to the delight of the sell-out crowd at the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center, which is also Chivas' home ground.