The Associated Press

SAINT-ETIENNE, France - Back on soccer's world stage, the United States showed it still has some growing up to do.

Turkey rallied from a first-half deficit, soundly beating the United States 2-1 Thursday night in the Americans' opener of the Confederations Cup.

"We played pretty poorly, probably didn't deserve to win," said Landon Donovan, who fed DaMarcus Beasley for the only U.S. goal.

Beasley put the United States ahead in the 36th minute.

Turkey tied it three minutes later on a penalty kick after Danny Califf and U.S. captain Frankie Hejduk surrounded Okan Yilmaz in the penalty area and pulled him down.

Tim Howard, the 24-year-old goalie making his first international tournament start, dived to his right. Yilmaz placed his low shot near the post, too far for Howard to reach.

"After that, we kind of just lost our composure," Beasley said.

In the 70th minute, Turkey scored the go-ahead goal. Howard, playing just his seventh international game, came out after the ball but couldn't reach it in time, stumbling as Tuncan Sanli went wide and sent the ball into the open net.

"You have to go," Howard said. "If you stay back, he has the whole goal. I didn't charge down as fast as I wanted to."

Howard, who plays for Major League Soccer's MetroStars, was playing just his seventh international game, starting because Brad Friedel was given the tournament off by coach Bruce Arena, and Kasey Keller is recovering from minor elbow surgery.

Arena praised Howard's play and faulted the U.S. defenders for not reacting quickly enough on the second goal. The United States dropped to 5-2-1 this year.

The Americans play World Cup champion Brazil on Saturday, probably needing at least a tie to keep alive their chance to advance to the semifinals. Brazil lost its opener to Cameroon 1-0 Thursday night.

BECKHAM DEAL: Soccer star and British icon David Beckham is ready to play wherever Real Madrid needs him and is confident his sale to the Spanish power won't jeopardize his captain's role on England's national team.

"I wouldn't have done it if it affected my England career," he said.

Beckham, speaking from Japan in his first comments since leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid, said he talked with England coach Sven-Goran Ericksson.

"He said, 'It doesn't matter which club you play for,' " Beckham said.

Beckham joins a star-laden lineup at Real Madrid that features Brazil's Ronaldo, France's Zinedine Zidane and Portugal's Luis Figo.

"I haven't discussed my position yet," said Beckham, a midfielder. "I'll play where they want me to."

Madrid, the nine-time European Champions Cup winner, paid $41 million for Beckham, with completion of the deal expected in July.

"They've said they wanted me," Beckham said. "And when given a chance to play for a great team, it's an exciting time for me."

The transfer was announced while Beckham and pop-star wife Victoria were headed to Japan for an Asian promotion tour. The sale ended weeks of speculation about his future.

Beckham will receive an estimated annual salary of $7.08 million plus bonuses.

Beckham is as much a cultural icon in Britain as he is a soccer star, with his jet-set lifestyle with former Spice Girl Victoria and his ever-evolving haircuts and fashion mimicked by teenagers.