COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) -- Christian Gomez scored on a penalty kick and the Colorado Rapids beat David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.

Beckham played in his first regular-season game in Colorado since joining the Galaxy last year. Beckham flew back from Europe after playing for England against France on Wednesday.

"It's always going to be tough when you have international games," Beckham said. "I felt OK for most of the match, maybe not at my sharpest, but it was overall a tough game for us. We created chances, but didn't put them away."

Terry Cooke scored early in the game, Omar Cummings scored in the 67th minute and Colin Clark added an 80th minute goal for the Rapids.

Things got testy toward the end of the game. In the 90th minute, Galaxy defender Abel Xavier was issued a red card after tackling Ciaran O'Brien. Right after that, O'Brien's hard tackle on Carlos Ruiz earned him a red card.

"I'm finding it hard not to criticize some of the decisions tonight but I've just been told I'll be fined if I do," Beckham said. "I don't want that to happen. Referees have a tough job, but some decisions change games, and that's happened tonight."

The Rapids took the lead on Cooke's goal. Gomez had a free kick that was blocked, and John DiRaimando got the ball. His shot was off, but Gomez hit a laser off the right post, which ricocheted out too Cooke, who blasted a shot in the right corner in the 10th minute.

Colorado took a 2-0 lead on a penalty kick by Gomez in the 60th minute. Xavier was given a yellow card after taking down Gomez in the penalty box.

"He draws a lot of attention from defenders," Clark said. "They are always worried about him. It makes it a little easier for everyone else."

The Galaxy said the altitude played a part in their sluggish play, and that Gomez's goal deflated them.

"The turning point was the penalty kick," Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit said. "That caused a little bit of chaos in our organization, and we lost our head a little bit."

Seven minutes later, Cummings got behind the Galaxy defense, put a move on Los Angeles goalie Steve Cronin and made it 3-0.

Clark finished the scoring when he maneuvered by Xavier and beat Cronin to the short side to make it 4-0.

Beckham was integral by putting his teammates in position to tie the game three times. In the 27th minute, his free kick went to Landon Donovan at the far post, but his popped-up shot was caught by goalie Bouna Coundoul.

A minute later, Beckham had another free kick that was knocked wide, and then Beckham came down the right side alone and sent a pass across to Ely Allen, whose header attempt went wide.

"That's Beckham, that's the way he plays and that's his strength," Coundoul said. "Before the game I reviewed how he kicks them so I kind of knew where the ball would be."

The Galaxy's best chance to even the score came in the 45th minute, and again Beckham started things. His free kick from the left got to the goal mouth, but Cooke was able to control the ball before Carlos Ruiz could knock it in.