David Beckham scored with a trademark free kick as Sydney FC claimed a 5-3 victory over the LA Galaxy in a fiery exhibition match at Telstra Stadium.

More than 80,000 packed Telstra Stadium to see the world's most famous footballer in action for the first - and likely only - time on Australian soil.

And Beckham did nothing to disappoint, curling a classic 25 metre free kick into the top right corner of the net on the stroke of halftime.

It was the undoubted high point of an entertaining clash, which lacked nothing for passion as tensions boiled over between the teams on several occasions.

The Galaxy ended the match with 10 men after defender Kevin Harmse was issued his second yellow card by Australian referee Mark Shield in the 76th minute.

Harmse had earlier caused a shoving match between the sides after a poor challenge on Sydney's star Juninho in the first half.

His second infraction, though, was far worse as he stomped on the arm of Sydney forward Adam Biddle, leaving Shield little option but to send him off.

While Beckham was at the centre of two of the game's more tense moments involving Robbie Middleby early in the second half - he'll be remembered most for that goal.

The Galaxy won a free kick 25 metres out from goal just to the left of centre.

The crowd, as they did all night, cheered as Beckham stepped up to the spot.

Seconds later the stadium erupted as his stunning right-foot strike swerved perfectly into net off the fingertips of Sydney 'keeper Clint Bolton.

"It was nice to obviously get a free kick ... it's my first time here so it was nice to score here," Beckham said after the game.

Before the goal, Sydney had threatened to run away with the game after taking a 3-0 lead in the opening half-hour.

Alex Brosque scored the first in the 20th, set up by Juninho, before adding a second six minutes later after latching on to a Ufuk Talay long ball.

Juninho then laid on the third for Ruben Zadkovich, although the Olyroo star could also thank Galaxy shot-stopper Joe Cannon for the goal after the 'keeper failed to handle what should have been a straight-forward save.

Beckham sent a scare through the stadium midway through the first half when he went down injured after being accidentally collected by Brendon Santalab.

The Sydney midfielder slipped as he tried to chase down Beckham, knocking over the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star just after he had kicked the ball.

Beckham eventually got up, but still looked to be struggling for several more minutes as he limped around the field.

"It's part of the game, you get kicked and you carry on," Beckham said.

"We've enjoyed tonight, obviously we lost, but that happens."

Beckham battled on to finish the game, but not before a colourful exchange with Middleby early in the second half which saw both players claiming yellow cards.

Middleby seemed to body check the former England captain in the 49th minute, prompting a heated response from a finger-pointing Beckham.

Five minutes later, Beckham delivered a get square, fouling Middleby from behind before embracing the livewire Sydney midfielder in one of the more light-hearted moments of the match.

Middleby had the last laugh when he scored Sydney's fourth goal in the 54th.

Fyfe added the A-League club's fifth in the 87th, with Edson Buddle and US international Landon Donovan providing the Americans' two goals in the second half.

Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho played strongly during his 45 minutes on the field, and was rewarded with Beckham's shirt after the match.

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