MLS: Los Angeles 3, New York 1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., July 16 (UPI) -- Alecko Eskandarian and Landon Donovan scored on long-range strikes Thursday and Los Angeles coasted to a 3-1 victory over New York.

With the return of midfielder David Beckham, the Galaxy won its fourth straight game. Beckham had been on loan to a team in Italy.

Eskandarian and Donovan both scored in the first 30 minutes, and Eddie Lewis made it 3-0 just before halftime. Los Angeles improved to 6-3-9 and moved into a third-place tie with Chivas USA in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is four points behind first-place Houston.

New York was awarded two penalty kicks in the last five minutes, but managed to convert only one of them. New York has won just twice in 20 games this season and is mired in last place in the Eastern Conference.