CARSON, Calif. — David Beckham put on a show in his first start for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The English superstar scored his first goal on a free kick in the 27th minute and had an assist while playing 63 minutes of the Galaxy's 2-0 victory over D.C. United in the SuperLiga semifinals Wednesday night.

"It's very satisfying," Beckham said. "I wanted to get off to a good start. I'm happy."

And he became captain of his new team, with Landon Donovan turning over the armband to Beckham after their conversation a day earlier.

"He said he felt it would give the team a lift," Beckham said. "I'm very honored."

Beckham and Donovan teamed up on the Galaxy's second goal in the 47th minute, with Beckham sending a long pass to a streaking Donovan, who scored on a breakaway.

"David makes a big difference in there, and it's not just the goal," Donovan said. "It was a big lift for everyone. We were all excited. It was nice."

Beckham had played just 37 minutes in two previous games because of a nagging left ankle injury that didn't allow him to practice with the Galaxy for the first time until Tuesday.

"I didn't expect to last an hour," he said. "It felt a lot better than I thought it was going to be."