LA Galaxy's David Beckham (File)

The return of English star David Beckham to Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy was not enough to give his team a much-needed victory to bolster its playoff hopes.

The Galaxy had to settle for 1-1 draw at home against the New York Red Bulls Thursday night. Los Angeles had won five straight matches to get back into playoff contention. Now to make the post-season, the Galaxy must win its final match Sunday on the road against the Chicago Fire and hope one of two other MLS teams can knock off L.A.'s closest contenders for the final playoff berth.

Beckham played for the first time in one-and-a-half months, coming on as a substitute in the 68th minute. The score was 1-1 when he entered the match, and he took five corner kicks, but the Galaxy could not manage the go-ahead goal.

Beckham had missed 10 consecutive games after spraining his right knee in a match on August 29. The midfielder already was playing with an injured left ankle that occurred before he joined the Galaxy in mid-July.