Beckham scored his first Major League Soccer goal to open the scoring while setting up Landon Donovan on the game's other goal a little over 30 minutes later to provide all the offense the Galaxy (1-1-0) would need.

"I think it was big just because we came off a defeat, 4-0 in the first game," Beckham said. "We wanted to get off to a good start in our home opener."

"We done well tonight, we got a goal each and we got an assist each," he added of his and Donovan's production.

San Jose (0-1-0), which was making it's return to MLS after the original 'Quakes franchise relocated to Houston after the 2005 season, looked every bit like an expansion club playing its first league game, being outshot 16-3 by Los Angeles.

Donovan set up Beckham just under 10 minutes into the game when he played a ball through the defense to the right side to the unmarked England international. Beckham, known more for his crosses than goal-scoring, cooly slotted the chance past Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon to not only score his first MLS goal, but the Galaxy's first goal of the season.

The two superstars hooked up for the game's only other goal in the 37th minute when Beckham returned the favor, playing a through ball to Donovan, who chipped the bouncing ball over an onrushing Cannon for his 65th career MLS goal.

L.A. 'keeper Steve Cronin made two saves to record the clean sheet in just his eighth league start.

With the win, the galaxy stretch their lead in the all-time series between the two clubs to 21-12-5, including 14-4-2 at home.

Los Angeles will look to build on its effort when it hosts second-year club, Toronto FC, on April 13 in its next league fixture while San Jose hosts Chicago a day earlier.