updated 9:47 p.m. ET July 19, 2008

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - With a mix of cheers and boos, David Beckham heard it from the crowd whenever he touched the ball for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham and the Galaxy needed a goal in extra time to tie the New York Red Bulls 2-2 on Saturday night before 46,754 fans, the largest crowd for a single Major League Soccer game this season.

“We had some people here cheering for me and cheering for the Galaxy,” Beckham said. “There were some boos out there as well. It’s almost like playing in Europe. You always get something from the opposing fans. I think it’s part and parcel for being an opposing player.”

Landon Donovan stole some of the spotlight from his teammate when he knocked in a bending shot in the 92nd minute that was intended to be a crossing pass, but found its way past Jon Conway and into the net for the tying score.

It was Donovan’s 12th goal of the season, tops in the MLS.

“It was definitely a cross, of course,” Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit said. “But Landon hit it so well that the goalkeeper didn’t know what to do. I think it was more about the quality of the play itself. Landon has become a much better player than what he once was.”

Donovan just missed scoring the winning goal less than a minute later, but his left-footed strike hit the left goalpost.

The tie kept both teams on winless streaks. The Red Bulls (5-6-6) have not won in almost a month, going 0-2-2 since last winning June 21. The Galaxy (6-6-5) are 0-2-3 in the past five games.

It appeared Juan Pablo Angel’s goal in the 71st minute was going to be the winner for the Red Bulls. Angel broke the 1-1 deadlock with perhaps the prettiest goal of the season. He collected a long pass from newcomer Jorge Rojas, then carried the ball up the left flank, where Galaxy defender Greg Vanney awaited.

But Angel faked Vanney with two flicks of the ball and passed it to himself, then chipped the ball over an outstretched Steve Cronin in goal.

It was only the fourth goal of the season for Angel, who has missed seven games this season for the Red Bulls due to an assortment of injuries, and the second in as many games.

“I feel better coming back over the last two games,” Angel said. “I’m not 100 percent yet, but I’m getting better every day.”

Beckham didn’t officially get on the score sheet, but the international star made his presence felt Saturday night, helping the Galaxy get on the scoreboard first. He collected a ball near midfield, then made a brilliant 40-yard forward pass to former Red Bull Edson Buddle.

Buddle maneuvered past two defenders, then crossed to Carlos Ruiz, who headed the ball past Conway for the game’s first goal in the 29th minute.

Beckham had a golden opportunity to score when he took a direct free kick from the 22-yard line in the 22nd minute, but his attempt was fired into the Red Bulls’ defensive wall.

“Sometimes you score and sometimes you don’t,” Beckham said. “That’s just the way it is. It’s not always about me. As long as goals are coming from other people, that’s all that matters.”

The Red Bulls tied it in the 35th minute on a nice give-and-go between newly acquired Rojas and Dave van den Burgh, who unleashed a right-footed blast from 35 yards out that eluded Cronin.

Beckham felt like the tie was a good result for his team, especially with the comeback.

“I think we showed a lot of character,” Beckham said. “I think it was disappointing to be tied at 1-1 at the half, because they scored on a sloppy play. But it looked as if we were not going to win the game and showed character to get the result. I think perhaps the draw was a fair result.”

MORE FROM SOCCER

Soccer Section Front

U.S. heavy favorites for historic game vs. Cuba   England, Portugal labor in first World Cup games Keegan resigns from Newcastle Man City chairman: Expect big signings Man wagers Obama will ditch politics for soccer FIFA punishes Romanian club for wearing violet Palermo makes coaching change Latest news, rumors on Euro teams, players MLS scores, schedules, standings MLS, European matchups Soccer Section Front   Add Soccer headlines to your news reader: