Galaxy beat Pachuca 2-1 without Beckham

Photo: Galaxy beat Pachuca 2-1 without Beckham

The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Pachua 2-1 despite absence of David Beckham in its opening match of the SuperLiga tournament on Tuesday.

It was the Galaxy's first victory since Beckham joined his new team.

The inaugural SuperLiga involves four Major League Soccer teams and four from the Mexican first division in a round-robin tournament.

Beckham was again missing with an ankle injury and his absence gave the club a reminder of life pre-Beckham. There were plenty of empty seats in the 27,000-seat stadium and a lack of camera flashes. The announced attendance was 19,317.

Galaxy took the lead in the 56th minute through Alan Gordon, before Pachuca equalized through Rafael Marquez Lugo in the 78th minute.

The Galaxy winner came in the 81st minute when a Donovan converted a Cobi Jones pass.

The Galaxy's next SuperLiga game is against Chivas Guadalajara on Saturday, when Pachuca will visit Dallas.