WASHINGTON (AP) David Beckham made his long-awaited Major League Soccer debut last night, entering in the 72nd minute of the Los Angeles Galaxy's game against DC United.

The sell-out crowd of more than 46,686 at RFK Stadium let out a thunderous roar as the 32-year-old English midfielder with the tender ankle stripped off his warmup jacket and T-shirt, displaying his bare chest in a steady rain. He then put on his No. 23 jersey and entered the game in place of Quavas Kirk with the Galaxy trailing 1-0.

His appearance as a substitute was the latest milestone in his move to the United States, a signing that has created unprecedented publicity for a league that hopes to elevate itself above niche status in a crowded sports landscape. Beckham's first news conference and first appearance in uniform were huge events by themselves now he has actually played in a competitive game.

Beckham's debut had been delayed by a sprained ankle, sustained while playing for England on June 6 and aggravated in his Real Madrid finale 11 days later. Since joining the Galaxy, he had played in only one match a 16-minute appearance as a substitute in an exhibition against England's Chelsea.

Beckham had since left fans disappointed by missing all three of the Galaxy's SuperLiga games as well as Sunday's scoreless draw at Toronto, where he watched the game from the bench in a suit.

Beckham did some limited training on the ankle this week but did not take part in the 40-minute pregame warmup on the field with his team-mates. Still, he was among seven substitutes on the Galaxy's line-up sheet.

Beckham emerged from the home baseball dugout at RFK Stadium shortly before kick-off, waved a few times to the crowd, then took his seat on the bench. He was also the only Galaxy substitute to wear his warmup jacket on the bench, despite the oppressive August humidity.

The crowd roared and flashbulbs popped when Beckham got off the bench and began warming up in the 36th minute. He skipped, stretched and ran light sprints along the sideline for the rest of the first half, even as a brief, light rain began to fall. The rain returned and became heavy in the second half, but that didn't deter Beckham from continuing his warm-ups as the game progressed.

The crowd was the fourth largest to watch an MLS game at RFK, and more than twice United's previous largest home draw this year. Tailgaters took their spots in the parking lots several hours before kickoff, and a group of United fans known to sing loud and long during every match hung a huge banner that read "We sing better than your wife," a reference to Beckham's pop-singing wife, Victoria.

Also in attendance was England coach Steve McClaren, who is interested in Beckham's status for an August 22 exhibition game against Germany and European Championship qualifiers against Israel on September 8 and Russia four days later.