Stars Turn Out For David Beckham’s U.S. Soccer Debut

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

And, although the Los Angeles Galaxy lost on Saturday night, judging by the Hollywood atmosphere surrounding David Beckham’s debut, fans didn’t seem to mind the defeat.

The Home Depot Center was temporarily turned into Hollywood South on Saturday night as stars and fans alike packed into the stadium for a glimpse of Becks’ first action as a member of the Galaxy.

Joining wife Victoria Beckham in the stands for the big event were Eva Longoria and Katie Holmes, who arrived with daughter Suri and Tom Cruise’s mother Mary Lee Mapother South.

Victoria, wearing her trademark huge black sunglasses, and her Hollywood pals watched from a private box above the field.

Jennifer Love Hewitt was like a lot of spectators, attending her first soccer game. In addition, Drew Carey, movie producer Brian Grazer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and English actors John Hurt and Ray Winstone also made what were likely their first trips to Carson, a downright gritty suburb compared to the stars’ usual haunt of Beverly Hills.

A red carpet was rolled out for the Beckhams’ new Hollywood pals – a roped-off area at the palm-lined suites entrance to the stadium. A handful of fans were gathered outside the ropes, along with the ever-present paparazzi.

As Beckham entered the stadium accompanied by security guards, the English superstar walked around a corner of the field before taking his seat on the end of a metal bench, where he was quickly surrounded by about 100 photographers pushing and shoving to get a shot.

Beckham calmly took in the scene as the scrum furiously snapped away within inches of him before being shoved back by about 10 security guards.

As expected, Beckham didn’t start the exhibition against Chelsea or join his new teammates in pre-game warm-ups. The 32-year-old midfielder spent the first half on the bench because of a nagging left ankle injury.

Dressed in a blue warm-up jacket, white shorts and knee-high white socks, Beckham sat hunched over watching the action and stood up to applaud a couple of near-miss scoring chances by his teammates.

With the game scoreless at halftime, he walked across the field waving to fans before disappearing into the tunnel.

And then, with about 20 minutes left in the game, Becks stood up on the sideline and began to warm up, jogging up and down the sidelines much to the delight of the packed house.

Moments later, the crowd went wild as the soccer star stripped off his warm-ups and entered the game as the stadium was immediately illuminated by a sea of flash bulbs snapping in the stands.

Although he was unable to bring his team back from a 1-0 deficit, at the end of the night, Becks and Galaxy fans in general seemed generally pleased by the outcome.

“It’s a great day for the club. I’m pleased to get out there,” Beckham said in a postgame interview, adding his ankle was “sore” after a fierce midfield tackle during the game.

And Becks also acknowledged the sold-out stadium and buzz that surrounded the night’s events.

“That was incredible,” he said. “I’m happy to be here.”

Following an upcoming four-game road trip, Becks and the Galaxy will return to LA for their next home game on August 23.