CARSON, Calif. -- After spending most of the game on the bench, David Beckham began his Los Angeles Galaxy by entering the game in the 78th minute of Saturday's exhibition against Chelsea from England.

The Galaxy lost 1-0 in the friendly match.

Chelsea captain John Terry scored the lone goal in the 49th minute on a 19-yard shot that ricocheted off the right post and left post before caroming into the net.

The 32-year-old midfielder has a nagging left ankle injury that prevented him from joining his new teammates for pregame warmups as well.

A sellout crowd, many sporting new $100 Beckham jerseys, gave Beckham a standing ovation for his appearance at the exhibition.

Some of the United States' biggest stars, including Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria and Kevin Garnett, were among those in attendance Saturday night.

Beckham was unable to practice with his new team Friday due to an injured left ankle. Galaxy coach Frank Yallop had said Beckham wouldn't start in the exhibition, and that his availability was a last-minute decision.

The Galaxy announced Jan. 11 that the 32-year-old midfielder agreed to a five-year contract that could bring him as much as $250 million to join the team following the June 30 expiration of his contract with Real Madrid.

In four seasons with the Spanish club, Beckham scored 13 goals in 116 league games.

Beckham, who began his career with Manchester United in his native England and has played for the English national team since 1996, is also known for his prowess on free kicks, which also sparked the titling of the 2002 film "Bend It Like Beckham."