CARSON, Calif. — Jozy Altidore’s header in the 16th minute gave the NewYork Red Bulls a 1-1 tie with Los Angeles on Thursday night, when David Beckhamplayed for the first time in 1 1/2 months and the Galaxy kept their slim playoffhopes alive.

A loss would have eliminated the Galaxy (9-13-7). Now, they need to win atChicago on Sunday and get help from other Major League Soccer teams to prolongtheir up-and-down season.

Beckham entered the game as a substitute in the 68th minute with the scoretied. He took five corner kicks in 22 minutes, but the Galaxy couldn’t score onany of them.

The midfielder had missed 10 consecutive games after spraining his rightknee in the SuperLiga tournament final on Aug. 29. He already was playing withan injured left ankle that occurred before he joined the Galaxy in mid-July.

Los Angeles had won five in a row coming into its final regular-season homegame.

The Red Bulls (12-11-7) already have a date with New England in the EasternConference semifinals.

Troy Roberts’ header into the right side of the net gave Los Angeles a 1-0lead in the 15th minute off a cross by Landon Donovan.

But New York came right back on Altidore’s header off a cross by Dave vanden Bergh on the left wing.

The Galaxy had several good scoring chances late in the game, including apass by Donovan intended for Carlos Pavon that sailed across the mouth of theempty goal.

The Galaxy’s Kyle Martino earned his sixth yellow card of the season in the54th minute, triggering an automatic suspension that will keep him out ofSunday’s game.

New York’s Dane Richards earned a yellow card in the 63rd minute.

In the teams’ other meeting this season, the Red Bulls won 5-4 in front of66,237 at Giants Stadium on Aug. 18, when Beckham made his first MLS start.

It was a sentimental evening for the Galaxy’s Cobi Jones, who played thefinal home game of his career. The 37-year-old midfielder plans to retire afterthe season, having spent his entire 12-year career with the same team — the onlyplayer in MLS history to do so. Jones was a stalwart on the U.S. national team,too.

Jones’ teammates warmed up wearing No. 13 white T-shirts with `Cobi’ on theback. A video tribute aired before the game and MLS commissioner Don Garber wason hand as Jones’ jersey was retired. The team gave him a ski vacation to adestination of his choice.

“Most importantly, I want to say thank you to all the fans who’ve been herefrom day one,” Jones said.