LA Galaxy 1 Spurs 1:

Gareth Bale started and scored for Tottenham against LA Galaxy - despite being ruled out of the Olympics squad with a back injury.

The Wales winger was not deemed fit enough to be named in Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad, yet still played in the majority of the 1-1 draw.

And Bale made a major impact, scoring the opener before David Lopes equalised for the hosts.

Freinds reunited: Gareth Bale jokes with former Tottenham team-mate Robbie Keane before the match

MATCH FACTS

SPURS: Cudicini; Walker (Naughton), Kaboul (Dawson), Vertonghen, Bassong (Assou-Ekotto); Townsend (Lennon), Sigurdsson (Carroll), Livermore (Huddlestone), Bale (Bentley); Van der Vaart (Jenas); Defoe (Kane)

LA GALAXY: Perk; DeLaGarz, Gonzalez, Lopes, Gaul, Franklin, Sarvas, Stephens, Jimenez, Keane, Villareal
Subs: Rowe, Jordan, Barrett, Noonan, Magee, Meyer, Garcia, Boyens, McBean, Walker

'He [Bale] came back to us during this week so we had to control the amount of effort he could put in,' said Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas.

'He is of course extremely young and physically - a beast - so he was able to put in the effort. We extended that because we want him to complete a certain amount of minutes before we start the season. 

'You could say that we took a risk. If you recall ten minutes into the game he was stretching himself so he was feeling a little bit of muscle tightness but it was controllable and we just let him carry on.

'We just welcome his recovery, that is the most important thing for me, to have a player of his dimensions available.'

Injury scare: Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart was forced to limp off for Tottenham

New signing Jan Vertonghen started alongside Younes Kaboul in central defence, while Jermain Defoe started up front as a lone striker in the clash at the Home Depot Center.

Meanwhile, ex-Spurs forward Robbie Keane captained the Galaxy - who were without David Beckham and Landon Donovan due to their involvement with the MLS All Stars who face Chelsea in Philadelphia.

Spurs winger Andros Townsend had the first worthy effort before a clumsy mix-up between Carlo Cudicini and Kaboul nearly let in Keane.

Fall guy: Full-back Kyle Walker felt the full force of Michael Stephen's challenge

And the Republic of Ireland striker looked lively during the opening exchanges as Galaxy started the encounter in encouraging fashion.

Defoe saw a stinging 20 yard drive expertly turned wide by Galaxy keeper Brian Perk in the 13th minute.

But Bale put the tourists ahead in the 17th minute, superbly glancing Gylfi Sigurdsson's cross past Perk's outstretched arm.

Net buster: LA Galaxy keeper Brian Perk fails to stop a shot by Gareth Bale, who celebrated his goal (below)

Galaxy had a 25th minute penalty appeal turned down after Sean Franklin's attempted cross hit Bassong on the arm.

However, the home side did not have to wait too long before pulling themselves back on level terms when Marcelo Sarvas played in Hector Jimenez down the right, whose low first time cross found Lopes who smashed home from eight yards in the 29th minute.

Tottenham could have found themselves behind four minutes later when the dangerous Franklin stood up an inviting cross to Jimenez, whose headed effort was well stopped by Cudicini.

Level terms: David Junior Lopes equalised for the hosts, who were without former England captain David Beckham

Villas-Boas was given another headache moments later, when Van der Vaart limped off uncomfortably holding his groin. The Dutchman was replaced by Jermaine Jenas.

Keane then missed a glorious chance to give his side the advantage in the 39th minute - but with just Cudicini to beat the ex-Liverpool striker fired his effort straight at the Italian before sending the rebound wide from a tight angle. 

Villas-Boas made two further changes at half time, Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto coming on for Townsend and Bassong.

On the ball: New boy Gylfi Sigurdsson was impressive for Spurs, laying on an assist for Gareth Bale

Defoe missed the first real opportunity of the second period in the 55th minute, dragging his low shot wide with just substitute keeper Brian Rowe to beat after Kaboul's raking long ball.

Tottenham then somehow failed to win a penalty when Rowe blatantly fouled Bale deep inside the Galaxy box - but referee Fotias Bazakos did not point to the spot in the 62nd minute.

Sigurdsson then squandered a golden opportunity two minutes later when he sent his effort from Bale's low cross wide from seven yards.

Dutch of class: Van der Vaart was a lively figure before he was brought off nursing an injury

The injury concerns piled up for Villas-Boas as Walker limped off in the 69th minute after a nasty collision with an advertising hoarding.

Lennon sent a venomous drive from the edge of the box after good work from David Bentley narrowly wide in the 85th minute before Jack McBean missed a good chance to seal a shock win moments later as the game ended in a draw.

Return: Forgotten man David Bentley played a part in the draw, looking to impress his new manager

On the injuries to Walker and Van der Vaart, Villas-Boas added: 'We are looking at three or four days for both, hopefully. 

'Reassessment is always important, I wouldn’t like to extend myself without the knowledge of both injuries but Van der Vaart felt a little tight in his abductor and Kyle slightly in his ankle. 

'But both should be back.'

Calling the shots: New Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas gives out his orders on the touchline