Footballer Cooke the star as Rapids down Beckham's Galaxy

David Beckham of Los Angeles Galaxy stands on the field for introductions before the MLS soccer game against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Good's Park on March 29 in Commerce City, Colorado.

All eyes were on David Beckham as he launched his first full Major League Soccer season with the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday, but Colorado's English import Terry Cooke stole the show.

Cooke scored one goal and helped create two more as the Rapids defeated the Galaxy 4-0.

Colorado spoiled the opener of Beckham's first full MLS season, and the debut of new Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit.

Cooke set the tone, firing a shot past goalkeeper Steve Cronin in the 10th minute.

Christian Gomez, Omar Cummings and Colin Clark added goals in the second half for the Rapids.

It was the third career goal for Cooke, who made his MLS debut in 2005 following two years with English Second Division team Sheffield Wednesday.

Beckham, who played in just five games last season with the Galaxy after joining the club to great fanfare in July, had a strong first half.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid sensation delivered a series of well-timed passes that his teammates couldn't finish.

Landon Donovan (2R) of the Los Angeles Galaxy gets into a scuffle with Ciaran O'Brien (L) of the Colorado Rapids as Carlos Ruiz writhes in pain on the turf and David Beckham (R) comes in to intercede in the second half of the MLS soccer game at Dick's Sporting Good's Park on March 29.

The Galaxy's attack slowed in the second half, possibly due to the fact that Beckham and forward Landon Donovan had competed in international friendlies for England and the United States on Wednesday.

A doubtful call on Galaxy defender Abel Xavier led to a penalty for Gomez, who converted with a rocket into the lower left corner to make it 2-0 in the 60th minute.

Seven minutes later the Rapids struck again. Cooke made a long run down the right side and directed a precise pass to Cummings, who went around Cronin and punched a shot into an open net.

Cooke was also instrumental in setting up Clark's 80th-minute strike.

The match turned ugly at the end, when Los Angeles' Carlos Ruiz was tackled hard from behind by Jose Burciaga jnr and had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher.