David Beckham scored his first goal for Los Angeles Galaxy to help secure their place in the SuperLiga final.
The England midfielder, 32, was named captain as he started a game for the first time for his new team.
He responded by scoring a trademark free-kick after 28 minutes against DC United before setting up the second with a pass for Landon Donovan.
Beckham was given a rapturous reception when he was substituted on 63 minutes as the Galaxy went on to win 2-0.
The only blip for Beckham came after 18 minutes when he was booked for a foul on DC United's Jaime Moreno.
Beckham earlier issued a plea to LA Galaxy fans growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of match action.
"I had to let nature take its course with my ankle. It's an injury and there wasn't much I could do about that"
And he responded in the perfect manner by leading his new club to their first win in four games.
But the former England skipper was quick to play down his contribution.
"It was nice to get the early goal," he said. "But it was not just about my goal and Landon's goal.
"I think it was a team performance that was exceptional, we worked hard as a team and played hard as a team and we won as a team.
"So it was more pleasing for the performance.
"I've always said that everybody has to be patient. I had to let nature take its course with my ankle. It's an injury and there wasn't much I could do about that.
"I was happy to be out there with the team and happy to be playing again so we're very happy."
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Beckham stressed the victory was merely the start of what he hopes is a successful five-year stint in the USA.
He added: "We want to do the same again and again and again. It's a learning curve each game and that's how we want to take every game. I think it's important that we push on from here now.
"We've won, we're in a final but it's more important now that we just play as a team and carry on winning."
LA Galaxy will now take on Mexican side CF Pachuca on 29 August for the SuperLiga title.
Their next Major League Soccer game is at New York Red Bulls on Saturday after which Beckham is expected to join up with the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Germany at Wembley.
The game attracted an announced crowd of 17,223 in the 27,000-capacity stadium.
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