Beckham surprised to play full game

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After a stop-start to life in America - dogged by a troublesome left ankle injury - Beckham made his first start and played all 90 minutes, getting two assists in the match.

"I was surprised to actually play 90 minutes," Beckham said. "The manager and the coaching staff kept asking me if I wanted to come off, but I'm quite a stubborn person on and off the field."

He added: "When we were winning I didn't want to come off and when we were losing I didn't want to come off. I think my stubbornness took over and I didn't want to come off the pitch."

Beckham had initially been reluctant to play on the artificial turf used at Giants Stadium.

"My ankle took a pounding obviously, I'm not used to this surface but it wasn't bad.

"There were a couple of instances where I rolled over on my ankle but at the end of the day we have to play on this surface.

"My ankle is more swollen than it was before the game but I'm sure it will be fine for Wednesday (when England play Germany)."

Beckham attracted a crowd of 66,237 to the game, setting a franchise record for the Red Bulls. This is the biggest market and biggest stadium Beckham will visit in America, and the night was deemed an overwhelming success.

"It's great for everyone involved with the club and for everyone in the league," said Red Bulls striker Juan Pablo Angel. "All those first-time watchers saw a great show - nine goals, a lot of quality, and a few mistakes."