David Beckham fails to impress

David Beckham failed to shine in his latest audition for the Great Britain men's Olympic football team in front of the side's manager, Stuart Pearce, in LA Galaxy's 1-0 defeat by New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England midfielder had been heartened that Pearce had taken the trouble to fly to California to see him in action, but the 37-year-old was at his poorest on Saturday night, fluffing a series of free-kicks, overhitting his trademark long passes and missing a late, presentable chance to equalise.

"He's coming to see a player that he's thinking of picking for the Olympics, so he would do it to a number of players," Beckham said before kick-off. "It's a little bit easier for him for players in Europe, but, obviously, coming all the way over here is good for me."

Beckham played the full 90 minutes, picking up a booking, and was annoyed by the efforts of his team who won the MLS Cup last season but are stuck in seventh place in the Western Conference after their fifth defeat in nine games.